Author: Middle east Editor

Sudan’s war has become a battleground and pivotal theatre for geopolitical rivalries as foreign powers compete for influence in the strategically vital Red Sea region. Similar to the Houthis in Yemen, Sudan’s location offers a chokehold over one of the world’s most crucial maritime trade routes, the Suez Canal, making it a highly coveted target for foreign interests. In March this year, Iran reportedly offered to set up a naval base in Port Sudan, a request that, if approved, would have given Tehran another crucial foothold in the Red Sea. Despite the Sudanese military’s rejection of the offer, there are…

Former Lebanese PM: Lebanon abandoned by international community amid crisis Lebanon’s former Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, has criticized the international community for abandoning his country during its current crisis. Speaking to the BBC, Siniora expressed frustration over the lack of effort to restore peace, warning that Lebanon is on the brink of a catastrophe. He said Lebanon’s inability to elect a president, due to Hezbollah’s influence, has left the country in a political deadlock. Siniora, who led Lebanon during its 2006 war with Israel, argued that the current government has failed to distance itself from Hezbollah, unlike his administration. He…

Israel intensifies Lebanon attacks, pounds Gaza on Oct 7 anniversary Israeli airstrikes have pounded Gaza and the Lebanese capital of Beirut on the October 7 anniversary.  In Gaza, the IDF says it hit targets throughout the strip, including a hospital it says was used by Hamas fighters. In Beirut, there were huge explosions in the southern suburbs with Israel claiming that it hit Hezbollah weapons storage facilities. Ten people were injured in Israel by rockets fired from Lebanon on Sunday, while the IDF says at least four “projectiles” were fired from Gaza on Monday. People across Israel are remembering last…

Massive blast near Beirut airport as Israeli strikes intensify Israeli air strikes on Lebanon have intensified, with massive explosions reported in southern Beirut. One of the strikes hit near the city’s international airport, close to the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh. Despite the proximity to the airport, it remains operational.  According to US media reports, a key target of the strikes was Hashem Safieddine, the presumed next leader of Hezbollah. His condition remains unclear following the attack. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s health ministry reports that 37 people have been killed in Israeli ground and air operations over the past 24 hours, raising the…

Deadliest West Bank strike in decades kills at least 18 in refugee camp At least 18 people were killed by an Israeli air strike in the Tulkarm refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The strike targeted a café where civilians had gathered, reported Palestinian news agency Wafa. The Israeli military confirmed the attack, stating it was part of a joint operation with Shin Bet security services, aimed at killing the head of Hamas in Tulkarm, along with other key militants. Israeli forces have been increasingly conducting air strikes in the occupied West Bank,…

Netanyahu sees popularity bounce back following attacks on Hezbollah – latest polls Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval ratings have seen a rebound following attacks against Hezbollah. A recent poll conducted for Israel’s Channel 12 reveals that if a general election were held now, Netanyahu’s Likud party would secure the most seats, although it would still fall short of an outright majority. In a further boost for Netanyahu, former rival Gideon Saar joined his coalition government on Sunday, potentially strengthening his position. “We will work together, shoulder to shoulder,” Netanyahu stated, emphasising Saar’s role in the ongoing conflict. Saar will…

UNHCR confirms Israel killed 2 staff members in Lebanon The UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, has confirmed the deaths of staff members killed in Israeli air strikes. One of its staff members, Dina Darwiche, and her child in an Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon. The strike, part of a barrage of over a thousand airstrikes in the past two days, hit Darwiche’s home on Monday. Her husband and older son were rescued but remain in the hospital with serious injuries. Dina Darwiche had worked at UNHCR’s Bekaa office for 12 years, dedicated to helping refugees. In addition to Darwiche, another UNHCR…

Israel strikes dozens more sites in southern Lebanon as thousands flee homes Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah continued overnight as thousands of people fled their homes in southern Lebanon. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said rockets fired by Hezbollah overnight towards northern Israel were either destroyed or fell in open areas. On Monday, Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 492 people were killed and more than 1,645 wounded – the deadliest day of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict since 2006. Israel has said it is “broadening” its strikes against Hezbollah and citizens in southern Lebanon received messages earlier in the week warning…

No place is safe as Israel kills dozens of civilians in central areas in Gaza as the IDF launches into Gaza with tanks and American made warfare. This was the one of the most intense Israeli bombardments since Israel launched its war on Palestine. Which locals say is an invasion as residents of Gaza are being forced to give up their homes and leave the area or face extermination. Israel has launched the hannibal directive, which means there’s no safe place for any Palestinians in Gaza. What is the Hannibal Directive? The Gaza Civil Emergency Service says it believes a…

British troops could be deployed to Gaza to deliver aid by sea, risking potential attacks from Hamas and Israeli IDF bombings, according to the BBC. The UK Government is considering sending soldiers to land humanitarian supplies from a temporary pier being built by the US military. This operation would involve driving trucks carrying aid from landing vessels to the shore, where it would be picked up by aid agencies. British boots may be deployed in Gaza The proposal has not yet reached Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and the Ministry of Defence has declined to comment on the matter. However, British…

Food, water and sanitary items remain in desperately short supply across Gaza.