Israeli strikes kill at least five people in Gaza on Monday Gaza health officials said Israeli strikes killed five people, including a child, in the Palestinian territory on Monday. "Three people were killed and several injured when an Israeli drone struck a group of civilians," Al-Aqsa Hospital said in a statement, adding that one of the victims was a child aged eight years old. Gaza's civil defence agency said the strike hit an area in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.
Iran leaves World Cup with dignity despite unprecedented political pressure and logistical hurdles Iran’s World Cup 2026 campaign is over, but the team’s farewell has sparked an outpouring of support that stretches far beyond the results on the pitch. Team Melli exited the tournament unbeaten after three draws, including a 1-1 result against Egypt in Seattle. But Iran’s goodbye came with a final moment of heartbreak: defender Shoja Khalilzadeh appeared to have scored a stoppage-time winner that could have transformed their qualification hopes, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
Khadijah Farrakhan, 'First Lady' of Nation of Islam, dies aged 90 Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 20:08 Known as 'Mother Khadijah', she devoted more than seven decades to shaping one of the most prominent religious and political movements in US Louis Farrakhan, head of the Nation of Islam, with his wife, Khadijah, in Baltimore, Maryland, on 23 November 1996 (John Mathew Smith/Wikimedia Commons) Off The Nation of Islam has bid farewell to Khadijah Farrakhan, the beloved wife of its longtime head, Louis Farrakhan, who passed away on 27 June, aged 90. Endearingly known as “Mother Khadijah” by Nation of Islam followers, she devoted more than seven decades to shaping one of the most prominent religious and political movements in the US, built on Black self-reliance. “The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan with deep sadness yet with profound gratitude to Allah informs you that his beloved wife of 72 years, the First Lady of the Nation of Islam, Mother Khadijah has returned to Allah (may Allah be pleased),” a statement published by the Shura Executive Council said.
Lebanon state media says Israeli strike hits south Lebanese state media on Monday said an Israeli strike hit the country's south, despite a framework accord signed by the two countries last week aimed at securing a peace deal. "Israeli warplanes carried out a strike targeting the area between the southern Lebanese towns of Qantara and Deir Seryan," the National News Agency said.
Iran leaves World Cup with dignity despite unprecedented political pressure and logistical hurdles Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 19:12 The Islamic Republic's journey in the global tournament ended over the weekend after a cruel group-stage exit, but fans have rallied around the team Footballer Mehdi Taremi applauds after the 1-1 draw during the Fifa World Cup 2026 Group G match between Egypt and IR Iran at Seattle Stadium on 26 June 2026, in Seattle, Washington (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images/AFP) Off Iran’s World Cup 2026 campaign is over, but the team’s farewell has sparked an outpouring of support that stretches far beyond the results on the pitch. Team Melli exited the tournament unbeaten after three draws, including a 1-1 result against Egypt in Seattle. But Iran’s goodbye came with a final moment of heartbreak: defender Shoja Khalilzadeh appeared to have scored a stoppage-time winner that could have transformed their qualification hopes, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
Iran says 'expert delegation' heading to Qatar this week Iran on Monday said a delegation of experts would travel to Doha this week to discuss the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States earlier this month. "An expert delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran will travel to Doha later this week" to discuss the implementation of clauses of the memorandum, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said. "We have not yet entered the stage of negotiating a final agreement," he said, noting that "over the coming days, we will not have any negotiation meetings with the US side at any level.
No Iran-US talks in coming days, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson says No talks between Iran and the United States are scheduled in the coming days, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement on Monday, adding that an Iranian technical delegation will visit Qatar this week, but has no relation to US officials visiting the country. Tehran has not started negotiations for a final deal as these require the implementation of certain points of the MoU, which is Iran's priority currently, Baghaei added.
UAE allows nationals to travel to Lebanon starting on Monday The United Arab Emirates will allow its nationals to travel to Lebanon starting on Monday, the state news agency WAM reported. UAE citizens planning to visit Lebanon must register through an official service, an emergency and support platform by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before their departure, the agency added. On 30 April, the UAE banned its citizens from travelling to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq, and urged Emiratis in those countries to leave immediately and return home, citing regional developments.
Demining of Strait of Hormuz to be carried out only by Iran, deputy foreign minister says The removal of mines from the Strait of Hormuz is to be carried out solely by Iran, according to the Islamabad MoU between Tehran and Washington, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in a post on X on Monday, in response to French President Macron's comments on the subject. Macron said on Monday that France and Oman are working together to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and will cooperate with their partners on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz. "We fundamentally do not permit any such thing," Gharibabadi said.
Opinion: The morning after the Lebanon 'agreement' There was a 19th-century Orientalist traveller and diplomat by the name of David Urquhart, who said about (Mount) Lebanon that there “never was a country for which God has done so much, nor a people who could do less for themselves”. Such a description was unfair and stereotypical. But Urquhart was writing just as Lebanon was becoming a central node in both European imperialism and the Ottoman attempt to stymie that imperialism.
Ben Shapiro-backed 'propaganda' film portrays pro-Palestine 'terrorists' on campus Submitted by Hannah. Smith on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 14:54 Starring Jonathan Majors, the film has been dubbed 'AI slop' and slammed as Islamophobic Poster for Run, Fight, Hide: Infidels (2026), a film from the Daily Wire, a media company co-founded by right-wing media host Ben Shapiro (X/@benshapiro) Off Run, Hide, Fight: Infidels , a new film produced by the Daily Wire, the media company co-founded by American right-wing comentator Ben Shapiro, has drawn backlash online after the trailer was released alongside details of its plot singling out Muslims and pro- Palestine university students. In the official trailer shared in a post on X on Thursday, an opening montage includes clips that appears to be from Fox News presenters warning of “terror plots”, Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaking about "radical Islam" in the US , Islamic State (IS) group executions, pro-Palestine encampments, the 9/11 attacks, and the IS flag, before zooming out onto a university campus based in Virginia, where the militant group's flag flies over the building.
Ben Shapiro-backed 'propaganda' film portrays pro-Palestine 'terrorists' on campus Submitted by Hannah. Smith on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 14:54 Starring Jonathan Majors, the film has been dubbed 'AI slop' and slammed as Islamophobic Poster for Run, Fight, Hide: Infidels (2026), a film from the Daily Wire, a media company co-founded by right-wing media host Ben Shapiro (X/@benshapiro) Off Run, Hide, Fight: Infidels , a new film produced by the Daily Wire, the media company co-founded by American right-wing comentator Ben Shapiro, has drawn backlash online after the trailer was released alongside details of its plot singling out Muslims and pro- Palestine university students. In the official trailer shared in a post on X on Thursday, an opening montage includes clips that appear to be from Fox News presenters warning of “terror plots”, Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaking about "radical Islam", Islamic State (IS) group executions, pro-Palestine encampments, the 9/11 attacks, and the IS flag, before zooming out onto a university campus based in Virginia, where the militant group's flag flies over the building.
France and Oman to cooperate with partners on de-mining Hormuz, Macron says France and Oman are working together to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and will cooperate with their partners on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday. "We have decided to collaborate, in conjunction with our partners, on clearing mines from the Strait in order to secure maritime routes and guarantee free and unconditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz," Macron wrote on X after meeting with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al at the Elysee Palace. Heureux d’accueillir Sa Majesté Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan d’Oman, pour sa première visite officielle en France.
Lebanon president says determined to deploy army up to Israel border Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told the US Central Command chief on Monday that he was committed to extending the state's control through its military up to the border with Israel, where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence. He reaffirmed to Admiral Brad Cooper "the Lebanese state's determination to extend its authority, through its armed forces, to the southern border", the presidency said in a statement, adding that the pair discussed preparations for implementing a framework agreement between Lebanon, Israel and the US.
Israel finds new breakaway allies in Bosnia's Serbs Submitted by Mersiha Gadzo on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 15:15 Serbia and Bosnia's Republika Srpska are both strengthening ties with Israel, as recent meetings and arms deals show Zeljka Cvijanovic, the Serb member of Bosnia’s tripartite presidency, meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 22 June 2026 (Social media) Off With Israel ’s international standing severely damaged by the genocide in Gaza , invasion of Lebanon and the war on Iran , it is continuing to develop ties with breakaway regions in search of recognition. The latest of these is Bosnia’s Serb-run breakaway entity, Republika Srpska , with analysts telling Middle East Eye that Israel is hoping to “dilute European unity on the Palestinian issue”. Zeljka Cvijanovic, the Serb member of Bosnia’s tripartite presidency, recently wrapped up a week-long visit to Israel, where she met with a slew of senior officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Shameful Israel-Lebanon 'agreement' evokes the Oslo disaster Submitted by Ussama Makdisi on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 15:22 The capitulation document signed in Washington gives Tel Aviv a green light to continue its occupation of Lebanese territory US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (centre of back row) looks on as Israeli, American and Lebanese officials sign a framework agreement in Washington, D. C. , 26 June 2026 (Saul Loeb/AFP) Off There was a 19th-century Orientalist traveller and diplomat by the name of David Urquhart, who said about (Mount) Lebanon that there “never was a country for which God has done so much, nor a people who could do less for themselves”.
Palestinian child succumbs to wounds sustained from Israeli fire A Palestinian child has succumbed to wounds sustained by Israeli fire in the occupied West Bank city of al-Bireh, Wafa news agency is reporting, citing medical sources. The Ministry of Health reported that 15-year-old Amir Ahmed Jawad Jaber died after being shot in the head and chest by Israeli forces during a raid on the city's Um Al-Sharayet neighborhood. Israeli rights group B'Tselem released a report earlier on Monday which found that 54 Palestinian children and teenagers had been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank in 2025.
Lebanon-Israel deal could block war crimes accountability, experts warn Submitted by Adam Chamseddine on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 10:56 Article 13 of the framework agreement commits both countries to cease all 'hostile or adverse actions' in international legal forums A woman fills a jerrycan with water as she sits among the rubble of a house, which was damaged by an Israeli strike, in Qlaileh in the Tyre district, southern Lebanon, 19 June 2026 (Reuters/Zohra Bensemra) Off A framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel has drawn warnings that a clause in the deal could effectively shield Israel from accountability for war crimes. Article 13 of the 14-point trilateral framework, signed on 26 June, commits Israel and Lebanon to "take good faith measures that demonstrate positive intent, including the cessation of all hostile or adverse actions in international political or legal fora. " The provision has raised alarm among Lebanese human rights and legal experts.
Senior UAE and regional officials referred to ICC over role in Sudan atrocities Submitted by Sondos Asem on Sat, 06/27/2026 - 19:21 Coalition of NGOs accuse foreign officials primarily from the UAE of aiding and abetting war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo 'Hemeti' (right) meet Emirati leader Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (left) at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi on 15 May 2022 (AFP/Rashed Al-Mansooori) Off A coalition of rights groups has requested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate the role of high-level officials from the United Arab Emirates and Sudan ’s neighbouring countries in allegedly aiding and abetting atrocity crimes in Darfur. The submission was filed on Monday by the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR) and a broad coalition of legal, investigative and civil society organisations. It highlights foreign support for both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), alleging that foreign actors enabled atrocities by the two sides of the conflict by supplying the perpetrators with arms, mercenaries, equipment, logistical support and financing.
‘Like living in hell’: The Iran war leaves Indian seafarers dead and trapped at sea Bhargavi Suresh, 36, from Visakhapatnam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, spends hours sitting before a framed photograph of her husband, Patnala Suresh. She wipes the glass clean, kisses the picture, hugs it tightly and places it back on the table, only to reach for it again moments later. Looking at the photograph, she breaks down in tears.
