Hezbollah claims rocket attack targeting troops in northern Israel Hezbollah has claimed an attack on Israeli troops in northern Israel on Wednesday. In a statement, Hezbollah said that "in response to the Israeli enemy army's violation of the ceasefire", its fighters targeted "a gathering of Israeli enemy army soldiers" in northern Israel with a rocket barrage.
More Israelis leaving country than arriving: Press review Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 14:22 Meanwhile, a senior army officer is dismissed over sexual misconduct, and a Netanyahu ally accuses him of jeopardising coalition unity Incoming travellers walk with their luggage upon arrival at Israel's central Ben Gurion Airport on 25 June 2025 (Jack Guez/AFP) Off Voluntary emigration from Israel An Israeli parliament-commissioned study has found that more Israelis have left the country than have arrived in recent years. Findings from the study, published by Ynet on Wednesday, show that almost half of those who have left in recent years are young people with higher education degrees. The data also indicate that emigration has increased since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, while fewer Israelis have returned.
Kuwait demands two Iran embassy staff leave after deadly attack Kuwait demanded that two Iranian embassy staff leave the country within 24 hours after an Iranian attack on the country's airport killed one person and injured dozens more. Kuwait's deputy foreign affairs minister Hamad Suleiman Al-Mashaan summoned Iran's charge d'affaires in Kuwait, Hamed Hamid Yaqoubi Far, and "handed him an official protest note regarding the continued Iranian attacks", according to the foreign ministry. The ministry added that a decision had been taken "to reduce the number of members of the Iranian Embassy in the country and to consider two members of the Iranian diplomatic mission persona non grata, and request their departure from the territory of the State of Kuwait within a maximum period of 24 hours".
Kuwait says Iran launched 30 ballistic missiles and drones at country Kuwait said it detected 30 ballistic missiles and drones launched as part of a "heinous Iranian aggression" on Wednesday. "Since dawn today, the armed forces have detected and engaged 13 hostile ballistic missiles within Kuwaiti airspace. These missiles were intercepted over several residential areas, resulting in some debris falling.
Israel intercepts two projectiles fired from Lebanon, military says The Israeli military said on Wednesday it intercepted two projectiles that crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanon. Earlier, it said it had intercepted a "hostile aircraft" that entered Israel from Lebanon, without attributing it to Hezbollah. Hezbollah declined to comment on either incident, and has not announced any attacks targeting northern Israel since Monday.
Exclusive: How Britain is moving towards a ban on Israeli settlement goods Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 06/02/2026 - 14:06 MPs across different parties tell MEE the government must take action in line with other European countries Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to change course on Israel (AFP) Off The UK could soon impose a ban on the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements, according to MPs from various different parties, including from the ruling Labour Party, who are pressing for stronger action. A significant shift in British policy now appears highly plausible in the near future – even likely – the sources told Middle East Eye. According to several people close to the government, Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer told Labour MPs late last year that a ban on settlement goods is desirable.
Trump says Iran has agreed to not have a nuclear weapon US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed not to have a nuclear weapon and that he would probably meet with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khameneiat at some point if things "work out". "They've already agreed they're not going to have a nuclear weapon," Trump told Pod Force One in an interview broadcast on Wednesday, while speaking about Iran. Asked about Khamenei's involvement in talks with the US on ending hostilities, Trump said: "He's involved, absolutely...
At least 63 wounded in Iran's attack on Kuwait At least 63 people were injured in Iran's attack on Kuwait on Wednesday, including airport workers and passengers, the health ministry said. Kuwait's foreign ministry said one person was killed in the Iranian attack.
Trump confirms he was 'perturbed' at Netanyahu over war in Lebanon US President Donald Trump has confirmed reports that he was frustrated at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's conduct in Lebanon. He was asked by presenter Miranda Devine during an interview with Pod Force One to confirm reports that he was angry with Netanyahu and had said "Are you F-ing crazy? What are you F-ing doing?
Gaza records highest death toll in six months as Israel intensifies bombing Submitted by Mera Aladam on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 09:12 Palestinian health officials say 119 people were killed in May, marking the deadliest month of 2026 A Palestinian boy mourns those killed in an Israeli air strike, at al-Shifa Hospital, in Gaza City, on 23 May 2026 (Omar al-Qattaa/AFP) Off Israeli forces killed at least 119 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in May, the highest monthly death toll recorded this year, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The rising toll comes as Israel intensifies its bombardment of the enclave, seven months into the US-mediated ceasefire intended to end the genocide since October 2023. At least 19 children and 10 women were among those killed in May, the ministry said on Tuesday.
One killed in Iranian attack on Kuwait Kuwait said Iranian attacks on its territory killed one person and wounded several others, briefly forcing its airport to close and damaging unnamed diplomatic missions. Kuwait's foreign ministry condemned the attacks "that once again targeted vital and civilian infrastructure, including Kuwait International Airport, killing one person and injuring others, in addition to causing damage to vital infrastructure including diplomatic missions". Kuwait later said it would resume flights for its flagship airline.
Israel intercepts 'hostile aircraft' from Lebanon The Israeli military said it intercepted a "hostile aircraft" that crossed into northern Israel from Lebanon on Wednesday.
'Attack on our democracy': Inside an Israeli influence campaign in France's local elections Submitted by Pauline Ertel on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 11:11 The electoral interference by Israeli company 'BlackCore' took many by surprise and stirs fears ahead of 2027 presidential vote France Unbowed member of parliament Francois Piquemal on the rooftop of the National Assembly in Paris, France, on 5 May 2026 (Benoit Tessier/Reuters) Off A foreign influence campaign in French local elections by an Israeli firm earlier this year presents an unprecedented attack on France's democracy, victims of the operation and people familiar with it told Middle East Eye. Earlier this month, Reuters revealed that the French authorities were examining whether an alleged smear campaign against three mayoral candidates from the left-wing, pro- Palestinian party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed - LFI) ahead of March's municipal elections was carried out by an obscure Israeli firm called BlackCore. The operation's broad outlines were first exposed by newspaper Le Monde in March, when Viginum, a digital interference detection service within the French prime minister's office, revealed a "foreign digital interference" scheme with "limited" reach targeting a "French political party" and its candidates in Marseille, Toulouse and Roubaix.
Eid in Gaza was another bloodbath. The ceasefire is a lie Submitted by Soumaya Ghannoushi on Tue, 06/02/2026 - 12:42 The real function of the so-called Board of Peace was not to stop the genocide, but to manage perceptions while it continues A Palestinian boy stands by the rubble of a residential building targeted overnight by an Israeli strike in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on 24 May, 2026 (AFP) On Eid has just ended. Across much of the Muslim world, families gathered around tables, children wore new clothes, and homes echoed with laughter and celebration.
Slovenia reportedly blocks Israeli flight for political reasons An Israir Airline flight headed to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, was forced to divert to Zagreb, Croatia, after Slovenian authorities denied permission to the Israeli plane to land, Ynet has reported. Ynet quoted Israir as having said that the decision was politically motivated. Uri Sirkis, the airline's chief executive, said: “The Israir flight scheduled for Ljubljana had to land in Zagreb because the authorities in Ljubljana are refusing Israeli carriers to land, due to their firm political opposition to the route operated by the Israeli government.
Bidon Waraq: How a Kuwaiti media start-up recreates the ‘diwaniya’ for the digital age Submitted by Yousef H. Alshammari on Tue, 06/02/2026 - 13:03 In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, Faisal al-Agel and Munera al-Shiraifi have established one of the region’s most popular media companies Munera al-Shiraifi and Faisal al-Agel at work at the Sard Group's headquarters (Sard Group) Off Most media companies have a fast-paced office area and a vibrant studio; a space for operations and the other for production. Nestled in Kuwait City's old Qibla neighbourhood, Sard Group's headquarters, the company behind Bidon Waraq (Unscripted), one of the Gulf Arab region's leading podcasts, similarly hosts offices and a dedicated studio, with one extra distinction: the diwaniya.
Iran says Kuwait and Bahrain bear responsibility for US attacks Iran's foreign ministry has condemned US attacks on an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and a telecommunications tower on Qeshm Island, saying they violated a ceasefire understanding and international law. The ministry said Kuwait and Bahrain bore "direct and clear responsibility" for the attacks, alleging that their territory and facilities had been used to support US military operations against Iran. Tehran said it reserved the right to self-defence and would use all available means to respond, including by targeting the source of any future attacks.
Kuwait and Bahrain accuse Iran of attacks on civilian infrastructure Bahrain’s military said it intercepted three missiles and several drones targeting civilian infrastructure, blaming Iran for what it called “systematic aggression” and a violation of international law. Kuwaiti defence ministry spokesperson Brigadier-General Saud condemned what he described as “criminal Iranian aggression” after missile and drone attacks reportedly wounded several people and damaged facilities at the international airport. Meanwhile, US Central Command (Centcom) said Iranian missiles launched towards Bahrain and Kuwait failed to hit their intended targets.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, The conflict widened overnight after US forces struck targets on Iran’s Qeshm Island, prompting Iranian retaliatory attacks against US-linked military sites in the Gulf. Despite the escalation, Washington and Tehran both signalled that diplomatic contacts remain ongoing, while US-backed talks between Lebanon and Israel continue to advance. Here are the latest developments: US Central Command says it carried out “self-defence” strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, targeting radar and communications infrastructure.
CBS: Same F-15E crew member survived two aircraft losses during Iran war CBS News reported that a US pilot whose F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down in Iranian airspace in early April had previously survived another aircraft loss only weeks earlier, in what sources described as a friendly-fire incident involving Kuwaiti forces. According to CBS, the pilot was part of the crew of one of three US F-15E fighter jets mistakenly shot down over Kuwait during the opening days of the war with Iran. The report said Kuwaiti air defences and a Kuwaiti fighter jet were involved in the incident.
