Trump expects Israel, Lebanon leaders at White House after ceasefire US President Donald Trump says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun could visit the White House in the coming days, following the announcement of a ceasefire. "As of two hours from now, we have a ceasefire with Israel and Lebanon. And that'll be great.
Attacks on US Muslims rose eleven-fold this year alone, advocacy group says Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 17:21 The Muslim Public Affairs Committee attributes the rise to the US-Israeli war on Iran Members of the Muslim community attend prayers outside Masjid-At-Taqwa during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, on 30 March 2025 (Charly Triballeau/AFP) Off Attacks on Muslim-American individuals and institutions are at a 15-month high under the Trump administration, the Muslim Public Affairs Committee (Mpac) revealed on Thursday. The group documented an eleven-fold increase in targeted incidents in the first three months of this year alone. At least nine of the attacks occurred in March, ranging from vandalism and bomb threats at mosques to sexual assaults against Muslim women, according to Mpac's policy paper entitled, "The Pitfalls of Operation Epic Fury: How the Undeclared War Against Iran Hurts Americans’ Interests Abroad and at Home.
EU chief urges ceasefire implementation in Israel-Lebanon truce European Council President Antonio Costa has welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, calling for it to be enforced and verified on the ground. In a post on X, Costa said the European Union would continue to back Lebanon. "The EU will continue to support Lebanon," he wrote.
Trump says Iran agrees to hand over enriched uranium as deal nears US President Donald Trump says Iran has agreed to hand over its stockpile of enriched uranium, adding that the two sides are close to reaching a deal to end six weeks of fighting. Trump's version of the deal could not be immediately confirmed by Iran. "They've agreed to give us back the nuclear dust," Trump told reporters at the White House.
Saudi Arabia pressed US to secure a Lebanon ceasefire to preserve Iran negotiations, sources say Submitted by Sean Mathews on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 17:33 A private call between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman came the day before the Lebanon ceasefire Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, greets Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before their meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 15 April 2026 (Handout/Pakistani prime minister's office) Off Saudi Arabia pushed the US to prioritise securing a ceasefire in Lebanon in order to sustain talks with Iran, as the kingdom shifts to mediation efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, multiple US, western, and Arab officials told Middle East Eye. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pressed US President Donald Trump on the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon in a private phone call on Wednesday, the Arab and western officials told MEE. Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire on Thursday afternoon, which several of the officials attributed to the kingdom’s lobbying.
Saudi Arabia pressed US to secure a Lebanon ceasefire to preserve Iran negotiations, sources say Submitted by Sean Mathews on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 17:33 A private call between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took place the day before the Lebanon ceasefire Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, greets Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before their meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 15 April 2026 (Handout/Pakistani prime minister's office) Off Saudi Arabia pushed the US to prioritise securing a ceasefire in Lebanon in order to sustain talks with Iran, as the kingdom shifts to mediation efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, multiple US, western, and Arab officials told Middle East Eye. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pressed US President Donald Trump on the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon in a private phone call on Wednesday, the Arab and western officials told MEE. Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire on Thursday afternoon, which several of the officials attributed to the kingdom’s lobbying.
Hezbollah says Israeli troop presence gives Lebanon ‘right to resist’ Hezbollah has said the continued presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese territory gives Lebanon and its people "the right to resist", as it outlined its position on a proposed ceasefire. In its first public response to the truce, the group said any agreement must not allow Israeli forces freedom of movement inside Lebanon. The comments come as the speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri urged displaced residents to delay returning home.
Israeli strike kills seven in Lebanon hours before ceasefire Lebanon’s health ministry says an Israeli strike on the southern town of Ghazieh has killed at least seven people and wounded 33, just hours before a 10-day ceasefire is due to take effect. Official media described the attack as a “massacre against civilians”, as rescue teams continue to remove rubble in search of survivors. The ministry said the toll remains preliminary and could rise as recovery operations continue.
US says it will pursue ships in Pacific Ocean supporting Iran The US military said on Thursday that it will intercept any vessel, including those in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, that it believes is providing "material support" to Iran . Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon that the "Joint Force, through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility, like the Pacific… will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel, or any vessel, attempting to provide material support to Iran". "This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil," he added.
Gulf and EU leaders believe that at least six-months is needed for a US-Iran deal: Report Gulf Arab and European leaders believe a US-Iran agreement could take up to six months, and are urging both sides to extend the current ceasefire to cover that period, Bloomberg reported from speaking to unamed officials familiar with the discussions. They are also pushing for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to restore energy flows, warning privately that disruption could trigger a global food crisis if it continues into next month. Despite this, regional leaders broadly oppose a return to fighting and are pressing Washington to prioritise diplomacy.
US says it will pursue ships in Pacific Ocean supporting Iran Submitted by Sean Mathews on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 16:51 Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says the US military will also target 'dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil' US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth looks on as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon, on 16 April 2026 (Saul Loeb/AFP) Off The US military said on Thursday that it will intercept any vessel, including those in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, that it believes is providing "material support" to Iran . Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon that the "Joint Force, through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility, like the Pacific… will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel, or any vessel, attempting to provide material support to Iran". "This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil," he added.
EU welcomes Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, urges respect for sovereignty European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon announced by US President Donald Trump. "I welcome the announced 10 day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by President Trump. This is a relief, as this conflict has already claimed far too many lives," von der Leyen wrote on X.
Apple TV accused of whitewashing genocide after announcing new Israeli series Submitted by Reem Aouir on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 14:02 Social media users say trailer for 'Unconditional' helps normalise Israel's image amid its multiple wars in Mena region Unconditional, an Israeli series for Apple TV, will premiere in May (Apple TV) Off Apple has come under fire after its streaming service started advertising for a new Israeli thriller, with people accusing the tech giant of normalising Israel and its army amid its ongoing genocide in Gaza and wars in the Mena region. The trailer for Unconditional, an eight-part drama, was released on Wednesday. It depicts Gali (Talia Lynne Ronn), a 23-year-old dressed in military uniform in the first shot, as being arrested in Moscow on drug-smuggling charges, and her mother Orna (Liraz Chamami), who tries to unravel what authorities allege her daughter is really mixed up in - "something critical for Israeli National Security", as one character tells Orna on screen.
Republicans block bid to halt Trump’s Iran war in House vote Republicans in the US House of Representatives have blocked a Democratic-led resolution aimed at halting Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran unless approved by Congress. The measure failed by a razor-thin 214–213 vote in the Republican-controlled chamber on Thursday, underscoring deep divisions over the war. The vote comes a day after a similar effort was stopped in the Senate, as Democrats push to assert congressional authority over military action.
Trump set to invite Israel and Lebanon leaders for White House talks US President Donald Trump says he will invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House for talks. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the meeting would focus on "meaningful talks" between the two countries.
Israel and Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire, Trump says US President Donald Trump claimed that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire set to begin on Thursday, following calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. "These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P. M.
Trump says Israel agrees to 10-day Lebanon ceasefire Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 16:47 The US president announces that the truce will go into effect at 10pm Off Israel has agreed to a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon starting on Thursday at 10pm, US President Donald Trump said after speaking to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P. M.
Zionist militia frequently contacted Nazi Germany, Israeli documents reveal Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 15:34 Declassified files reported by Haaretz shed further light on relationship between the Stern Gang and Hitler's government A picture dated 1947 of a placard issued by the British police in Palestine showing 18 wanted Jewish activists from Irgun Zvai Leumi and the Stern Gang (AFP) Off Recently declassified Israeli archive documents have shed further light on attempts by a Zionist militia to forge a relationship with Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 40s. The documents, reported by Haaretz , reveal that Avraham Stern and other members of his Stern Gang made several attempts to forge a partnership with Nazi Germany, based in part on shared opposition to the British , who were then occupying Palestine , where the Zionist movement hoped to create a Jewish state. Naftali Lubenchik, a Stern Gang member, was sent to meet with German representatives.
US military fully withdraws from Syria after 10 years Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 15:28 American troops and equipment reportedly exited via Jordan as Damascus moves to take over the last US-held base A US soldier rests on a tank as troops patrol oil fields near Syria's northeastern border with Turkey on 3 September 2024 (Delil Souleiman/AFP) Off The last remaining US troops in Syria left their base in Hasakah on Thursday, ending a 10-year presence in the country aimed at fighting the Islamic State group, Syrian officials told Middle East Eye. Following the withdrawal of US forces, the Syrian military entered the last base previously under American control, known as Qasrak, which included an airstrip. A Syrian official told MEE that the withdrawal had been completed.
Lebanon's Aoun rejects call with Netanyahu as Israel severs last bridge to the south Submitted by Heba Nasser on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 11:44 Israeli media, meanwhile, say army preparing for ceasefire with Lebanon starting Thursday evening Lebanese soldiers and first responders inspect the site of Israeli strikes on the Qasmiyeh bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon, on 16 April 2026 (Kawnat Haju/AFP) Off Lebanon ’s President Joseph Aoun will not speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the near future, a senior Lebanese official told Middle East Eye, after reports of a planned phone call between the two leaders. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Beirut had informed Washington of Aoun’s position ahead of a call between the president and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday. The development comes two days after the US hosted the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon in Washington, in the first such talks between the two countries since 1993.
