Israel killed head of police force, Gaza’s ministry of interior says An Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in western Gaza City killed Gaza City police chief Colonel Jamal Abu Kamil, 43, and critically wounded two others on Thursday, Al Jazeera reported, citing Gaza’s interior ministry. Abu Kamil was one of two Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Thursday, according to Reuters. An earlier Israeli strike on a motorbike in western Khan Younis killed one person and wounded another.
Exclusive: UK Charity Commission criticises synagogue for hosting Great Israeli Real Estate Event The UK 's Charity Commission has criticised trustees of the Edgware United Synagogue in London for hosting a real estate event that promoted properties in illegal Israeli settlements in June, Middle East Eye can reveal. The charity regulator has also decided to review a recent decision to close a compliance case on the charity. The commission told MEE that "should any further concerns about the charity arise we will consider escalating our regulatory engagement".
Israeli forces detain three Palestinians as settlers seize tractor near Ramallah Israeli forces detained three Palestinians during a raid on the village of Burqa, east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, while Israeli settlers seized a tractor owned by the village council, the Wafa news agency reported, citing Palestinian security sources. The settlers seized the tractor, which was used for waste collection, under the protection of the Israeli army.
Balochistan’s dangerous fuel trade is a lifeline. The Iran war is choking it Submitted by Hazaran on Tue, 08/11/2026 - 18:13 The war is wreaking havoc on the illicit, yet vital, trade of importing fuel from Iran into Pakistan's Balochistan province A fuel fire engulfs boats at Kuntani Hor in Balochistan, Pakistan, sending thick black smoke into the sky as workers watch from nearby (Hazaran/Changeez Nazir/MEE) Off About 150 kilometres west of Gwadar, the port city often described as the heart of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), lies Kuntani Hor, a small creek near the Iranian border on Balochistan’s remote and picturesque Makran coast. The creek is one of the spots along the border where "informal" trade between Iran and Pakistan takes place, with boats bringing Iranian petrol, diesel and other goods into Pakistan.
Houthis claim drone strike on Saudi refinery Yemen's Houthis on Thursday claimed a drone attack on an Aramco refinery in southern Saudi Arabia, the group's affiliated news agency Saba reported. "A military source confirmed that the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted an Aramco refinery in the Jizan region using two drones, achieving a precise hit by the grace of God," Saba reported, referring to Houthi forces. The agency reported that the source said the strike was a response to a Saudi "violation of Yemeni airspace and the country's sovereignty in the Saada and Hajjah governorates".
Hegseth says US can keep naval blockade on Iranian ports ‘indefinitely’ US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says that the US military can maintain a blockade on Iranian ports for as long as needed. “Indefinitely, the United States Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we’ll rotate ships in and out, as we have, and we’ll continue to,” Hegseth told reporters.
Palestinians reject Hamas disarmament before full Israeli withdrawal, poll finds More than 70 percent of Palestinians oppose Hamas disarming before Israel completely withdraws from the Gaza Strip, according to a new survey. The poll found that 72 percent believe Israel would resume its genocide in Gaza and refuse to withdraw fully if Hamas surrendered its weapons. The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research published the findings on Wednesday, offering a detailed picture of Palestinian attitudes towards the future of Gaza, their political leadership and the prospect of Palestinian statehood.
Palestinians reject Hamas disarmament before full Israeli withdrawal, poll finds Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 15:08 Most Palestinians fear Israel would resume its genocide if Hamas surrendered its weapons Israeli soldiers near the Palestinian village of Tell in the occupied West Bank on 25 July 2026 (Jaafar Ashhtiyeh/AFP) Off More than 70 percent of Palestinians oppose Hamas disarming before Israel completely withdraws from the Gaza Strip, according to a new survey. The poll found that 72 percent believe Israel would resume its genocide in Gaza and refuse to withdraw fully if Hamas surrendered its weapons. The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research published the findings on Wednesday, offering a detailed picture of Palestinian attitudes towards the future of Gaza, their political leadership and the prospect of Palestinian statehood.
EU welcomes Israeli green light to extend Gaza border mission EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Thursday welcomed an Israeli decision to extend the mandate of the bloc's border assistance mission at the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and the occupied West Bank until mid-2027. Initially set up in 2005 to help monitor the key crossing, the civilian EUBAM mission was put on standby for nearly two decades. The Rafah crossing shut down entirely during Israel's war on Gaza, but has reopened on a limited basis since February, with monitors from the EU – which announced last week that more than 10,000 people had since passed between Gaza and Egypt.
Iranian military rejects US claims that vessels are transiting the Strait of Hormuz The Iranian military has rejected the US claims that vessels are transiting the Strait of Hormuz normally, saying that no ship can pass through without its permission. “The Strait of Hormuz remains under the full management and control of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said an Iranian spokesperson, according to state media. “No commercial vessel or oil tanker can or will have safe passage through the Strait without the permission and supervision of Iran’s powerful Armed Forces,” they added.
Video: How settler attacks and water diversion erased a Palestinian community Haitham Rashaidh was among the last to leave his home near Ein al-Auja, a natural spring and waterfall north of Jericho in the occupied West Bank. His family packed up their tents and heaped all their belongings onto a tractor, and then began the two-hour journey across difficult terrain towards al-Balqa, a sparsely populated area of the Jordan Valley, where they set up camp alongside their displaced neighbours. Leaving Ein al-Auja felt like losing a part of themselves, Rashaidh explained mournfully.
UK withholds information on Israeli firm accused of targeting Scottish first minister in elections Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 11:59 The British government refused an FOI request, saying releasing documents may 'prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and any other state' Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets Scottish National Party (SNP) First Minister John Swinney in Glasgow, 23 July 2026 (AFP) Off The British government has refused to publish any information it holds on an Israeli firm suspected of interfering in the Scottish parliament elections, on the grounds that doing so may "prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and any other state". In June, the French disinformation watchdog Viginum accused Israeli cyber firm BlackCore of meddling in elections in New York City and Scotland , as well as in France ’s local elections. Viginum chief Marc-Antoine Brillant said investigations had led the watchdog to suspect BlackCore of being "used to carry out foreign digital interference operations in other countries or regions, such as Angola, Togo, the elections in Scotland, and the 2025 municipal election in New York".
Iranian press review: Tehran says it will no longer wait to be attacked Submitted by MEE correspondent on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 11:17 Meanwhile, conservatives demand full control over Hormuz, researcher compares current situation to final days of Iran-Iraq war, and concerns grow over US naval blockade A sculpture overlooking the Strait of Hormuz on the seafront in the port city of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, on 10 August 2026 (AFP) Off Shift to offensive military doctrine in rhetoric Iranian military commanders and politicians have recently underlined a shift in Iran 's military doctrine, moving from a defensive to an offensive strategy against US forces in the Middle East. The shift came with new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointing six military commanders to replace those killed by Israel and the US during the recent war. While some figures had previously mentioned this change in military doctrine, the new appointments have made the topic prominent in local media.
German court ruling on Israel-Nazi comparison is a step in the right direction Submitted by Marla Karnabach on Tue, 08/11/2026 - 20:53 Decision underscores the fact that political commitments - however deeply rooted - must not override fundamental rights A demonstrator holds a placard reading “From the Panke [River] to the Sea - never again war industry”, as others hold Palestinian flags, in Berlin, Germany, on 11 July 2026 (Tobias Schwarz/AFP) Off A German court this month decided that comparing Israel to Nazi Germany is protected legal speech, highlighting a growing conflict between constitutional protections and Berlin’s political commitment to Tel Aviv. The regional court acquitted a woman convicted in a lower court over social media posts comparing Israel ’s conduct in Gaza with the methods of the Nazi regime. In recent years, Germany’s support for Israel has increasingly shaped policing, administrative decisions and criminal prosecutions.
Ein al-Auja: How settler attacks and water diversion erased a Palestinian community Submitted by Majd Jawad on Fri, 06/12/2026 - 18:36 The spring that once sustained life here has run dry, as Bedouin families flee Israeli violence and resource theft " class="video-embed-field-lazy container-element"> Off Haitham Rashaidh was among the last to leave his home near Ein al-Auja, a natural spring and waterfall north of Jericho in the occupied West Bank. His family packed up their tents and heaped all their belongings onto a tractor, and then began the two-hour journey across difficult terrain towards al-Balqa, a sparsely populated area of the Jordan Valley, where they set up camp alongside their displaced neighbours. Leaving Ein al-Auja felt like losing a part of themselves, Rashaidh explained mournfully.
In Christian village of Taybeh, Israeli military order fails to stop settler violence Submitted by Fayha Shalash on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 10:08 Palestinian residents and rights activists describe near-daily raids on homes and olive groves, with some saying they've been blocked from their own land for years Priest Abouna Jack-Nobel Abed at Saint George Greek Melkite Catholic Church in the mostly Christian town of Taybeh in the occupied West Bank, 22 December 2025 (Ilia Yefimovich/AFP) Off The residents of Taybeh, a village east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank , continue to face settler attacks despite an Israeli military order declaring the surrounding area a closed military zone. Local residents documented fresh settler attacks on several families east of Taybeh on Tuesday 11 August, including the Naif al-Kaabneh family, who have been subjected to violent assaults in recent days, despite the decision to close off the area under the pretext of protecting Palestinians . Taybeh is a predominantly Christian Palestinian village in the West Bank, and its residents rely on agriculture, olive groves and olive oil production, among other sources of income.
Exclusive: UK Charity Commission gives 'regulatory advice' to synagogue that hosted Great Israeli Real Estate Event Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 10:47 The event in June held at the Edgware United Synagogue promoted properties in illegal Israeli settlements The Israeli settlement of Pisgat Zeev (foreground) in East Jerusalem and Israel's separation wall in the Palestinian town of Hzma (background) in the occupied West Bank on 7 August (AFP) Off The UK 's Charity Commission has issued "regulatory advice" to trustees of the Edgware United Synagogue in London, which hosted a real estate event that promoted properties in illegal Israeli settlements in June, Middle East Eye can reveal. On 15 June MEE reported that properties in illegal Israeli settlements were advertised at the Great Israeli Real Estate Event. The event's organisers later admitted properties in Israeli settlements were promoted at the synagogue, saying it happened "by mistake".
Exclusive: UK Charity Commission criticises synagogue for hosting Great Israeli Real Estate Event Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 10:47 The event in June held at the Edgware United Synagogue promoted properties in illegal Israeli settlements The Israeli settlement of Pisgat Zeev (foreground) in East Jerusalem and Israel's separation wall in the Palestinian town of Hzma (background) in the occupied West Bank on 7 August (AFP) Off The UK 's Charity Commission has criticised trustees of the Edgware United Synagogue in London for hosting a real estate event that promoted properties in illegal Israeli settlements in June, Middle East Eye can reveal. The charity regulator has also decided to review a recent decision to close a compliance case on the charity. The commission told MEE that "should any further concerns about the charity arise we will consider escalating our regulatory engagement".
Families of Egyptian political prisoners launch UK advocacy group Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 11:13 The Families of Egyptian Detainees Association will liaise with international bodies to fight for the release of prisoners of conscience, press release says A picture taken on 16 January 2022 shows the Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre in Badr city, 65 kms east of the Egyptian capital Cairo (AFP/Khaled Desouki) Off A new organisation was launched in London on Thursday to represent the families of political detainees held in Egypt , according to a press relese shared with Middle East Eye. The Families of Egyptian Detainees Association (Feda) said it will liaise with institutions and authorities both inside and outside Egypt, in the hope of helping secure the release of political detainees. It said it would “work with anyone who can contribute to closing this painful chapter and securing the release of political detainees from prison”.
Iran attacks US failures as scepticism grows over Israeli role in Trump 'assassination plot' Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 10:57 Washington’s Iran blockade comes under strain as morale crisis grips the USS Abraham Lincoln A replica of an Iranian air force F-4 Phantom fighter aircraft is displayed in a city square in Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on 10 August (AFP/Atta Kenare) Off Iran has accused the US of allowing faulty intelligence to drive it into war, as new reports revealed that CIA analysts doubted an Israeli warning that triggered a secret security operation during President Donald Trump’s visit to Turkey . Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Washington “has long miscalculated due to intelligence failures”, including when it launched its war on Iran. He said US actions in the Strait of Hormuz represented “an even bigger miscalculation”.
