Palestinian territory and city in the Gaza Strip
The Green Party faces mounting blowback after a conference motion branding Zionism as racism and backing a single Palestinian state. Labour is ending local power-sharing unless Green groups reject the policy, and several councils are reassessing coalitions amid calls to overturn or amend the motion.
Sally Rooney has had UK publishers stop supplying her books after she pledged to donate UK proceeds to Palestine Action, a group proscribed under UK terrorism law. Fellow writers including Chris Haughton and Nicola Davies have pledged to send their royalties to Rooney in solidarity. The UK Supreme Court will hear an appeal over the proscription on 4–5 November.
World Food Programme cuts Gaza aid by half, leaving 1.1 million people dependent on food or cash assistance instead of 1.6 million. Rations are reduced, hot meals decreased, and cash aid shrinks, intensifying hunger as border closures and economic collapse deepen hardship.
The European Parliament has awarded the 2026 Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court as the United States has announced sweeping sanctions that will ban transactions with the court, freeze ICC assets in US jurisdictions and give US firms six months to wind down business. EU leaders and many allies have condemned the US move and pledged support for the court.
A Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, was attacked during a funeral, leaving nine dead and dozens wounded. Authorities are hunting the attackers; the government, king, and regional leaders condemn the act as extremism. Security has been stepped up nationwide while Christians in the country face renewed tensions.
Egypt's parliament has authorised President el-Sisi to provide defense assistance to Saudi Arabia in response to attacks by Yemen's Houthis. The move, described as defensive, could see air defense systems and aircraft deployed to protect Saudi territory, but Egypt says it will not send ground troops. The vote underscores shifting regional security calculations as Gulf tensions rise.
Lana Nusseibeh has entered the UN secretary-general race. Her nomination follows deadlocked Security Council rounds and rising attention to UAE’s role in Sudan. She is the first potential female UN chief from the Middle East, but faces scrutiny over human rights concerns and regional tensions.
The Supreme State Prosecution has referred Lina Attalah, editor‑in‑chief of Mada Masr, to trial on a charge of operating a website without a licence. She was released on bail and faces heavy fines and possible closure of the outlet; her first court date is set for Oct. 27. The referral follows a Mada Masr report on prison protests and comes as prosecutions of independent journalists escalate in Egypt.
The Justice Department has opened an antitrust inquiry into whether the five-network White House television pool violated the Sherman Act after the pool paused presidential coverage in protest of the administration's temporary ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico. A federal judge has restored the outlets' White House credentials, but CNN says the White House has continued to exclude it from Air Force One and pool duties, and CNN's lawyer has warned the network will return to court.
The Israeli military has issued a high alert and is reinforcing West Bank deployments ahead of the October 27 vote. Prime Minister Netanyahu has warned enemies not to test Israel, while officers say leave is frozen and readiness is being maintained across fronts. Early voting for soldiers will deploy at 850 polling sites.
Rights groups say 22 inmates—predominantly Palestinians—have been shot with rubber, plastic or sponge rounds since last year, with injuries ranging from leg wounds to a crushed testicle. Israel defends the use as measured and last-resort, while calls for accountability and policy changes grow.
Since the Board of Peace has coordinated training and deployment plans for an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza, progress remains blocked as Israel has yet to authorize key elements, including an ISF base near the Yellow Line and the entry of a multinational troop contingent. Multiple countries are training and preparing, but Israeli approval continues to constrain the mission amid ongoing political pressures ahead of the election.
Citizen Lab has published a report showing Israeli ad‑tech firm Discover‑Tech has sold targeted ads that routed millions of devices to mercenary spyware operators, including Candiru. Researchers have confirmed the technique has infected 45 Al Jazeera devices in 2024–25 and have shown Discover‑Tech ads reached government, military and critical‑infrastructure networks worldwide.
Palestinian olive farmers face escalating violence as Israeli settlers attack villages across the northern West Bank during the harvest. Dozens are injured, properties damaged, and crops looted amid heightened tensions ahead of elections. Journalists have been assaulted while covering the clashes, prompting condemnations and calls for accountability.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as multiple vessels are struck by mines and fires erupt aboard tankers. Iran has claimed responsibility for recent strikes, while the United States maintains countermeasures to protect shipping. The disruption has lifted energy prices and tightened crude flows, with ongoing efforts to escort ships through the strait.
A wave of attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank targets olive groves during the harvest, with dozens of incidents reported. Rabbis and officials are responding to a controversial ruling by Dov Lior that Palestinians’ olives may be harvested by Jews to demonstrate land ownership. The olive harvest season has intensified violence, with thousands of trees damaged and significant financial losses for farmers.
Azerbaijan has tightened dress rules in state schools to enforce secularism, leading to entries denied to hijab-wearing pupils and teachers. Protests have erupted domestically as international groups condemn the move and tensions with Turkey rise over the issue.
President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election, calling him a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and offering a “complete and total endorsement.” US and Israeli sources told multiple outlets that Netanyahu has privately pressed Trump for added public support and even suggested wording and media outreach; Likud has denied the claims.
Israel has held a tightly contested campaign ahead of Oct. 27 elections in which both the Netanyahu-led right and a Zionist opposition bloc are neck-and-neck. Arab-led lists are projected to increase representation and could hold the balance of power; main opposition figures have largely adopted right-leaning security positions and ruled out joining coalitions with Arab parties.
Israeli elections unfold with a fragmented landscape as leaders vow continued settlement expansion and a hard stance on Gaza. Incitement and extremist rhetoric are on the rise, complicating any path to a two-state solution. Voters face deep divisions over security, governance, and future policy.
The European Parliament has named the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court among three finalists for the Sakharov Prize, amid US sanctions aimed at crippling its day-to-day operations. The prize honors defenders of human rights; winners are expected to be announced in December alongside discussions on the ICC’s future independence and safety of its officials.
Iran has repeated that its policies remain unchanged in the face of threats from the US and Israel, with Tehran saying that any renewed war would not alter its positions. Meanwhile, regional tensions in the Strait of Hormuz intensify as attacks on shipping continue and mediation efforts falter amid broader regional maneuvering.
The eastern Libyan Parliament aligned with Khalifa Haftar has ratified the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum. Greece, Cyprus and Egypt reject the move; the EU calls it null and void. The deal could redraw maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean, impacting European allies and energy prospects.
Shortages of flour, staple foods, and rising prices in Gaza have intensified as crossings remain shut and humanitarian aid tightens. Residents report empty markets, higher prices, and dwindling incomes, with bakeries at risk of closure and WFP reducing aid to millions.
Malaysia has prohibited civil servants from using Google’s Waze for official duties due to concerns that location data could fall under Israeli jurisdiction. The move follows similar regional actions amid tensions linked to Israel and Palestine; authorities urge the use of a local alternative, TuJu.
Journalist Heidi Levine has sustained serious injuries after masked settlers attacked during an olive harvest near Abu Falah, north of Ramallah. Palestinian youths shielded reporters; Israeli army is investigating the incident amid broader tensions as more than 20 Palestinians have been killed by settlers this year.
Fontaines DC has released a new album, Dopamine Chamber, marking a shift from post-punk to expansive, synth-driven sounds. The band’s ascent continues with a major 2027 tour and headline ambitions, while peers like The Temperance Movement release new material, signalling a vibrant UK rock scene.
AIPAC has halted formal candidate endorsements and earmarked direct PAC contributions, while it continues to run the United Democracy Project super PAC and focus on mobilizing individual donors. The move responds to a tougher political climate and mounting criticism, and comes amid ongoing scrutiny of political influence in U.S. elections.
Egypt is weighing a defensive, limited intervention in Yemen to defend Saudi Arabia and intercept missiles while avoiding direct attacks on the Houthis. Parliament has delayed a vote, signaling cautious official hesitation amid memories of the 1960s North Yemen intervention.
Israeli forces have mounted sweeping operations across the West Bank after gunmen opened fire near Hebron, killing two attackers and wounding several. Troops have sealed Hebron, closed gates and restricted Palestinian movement, displacing hundreds of families and preventing most permit-holding workers from entering Israeli communities until after Israel’s Oct. 27 election.
The UAE has temporarily closed all beaches in Ras Al Khaimah after an offshore oil spill near Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah. Authorities say containment efforts are underway and that odors pose no health risk. Beaches will remain closed until safety and environmental assessments are complete.
Israel has launched a large-scale operation in Hebron after a deadly attack at a military checkpoint, with security forces vowing to displace residents and search for militants. The development follows an escalation ahead of national elections, as authorities report multiple casualties among soldiers and militants and warn of further measures.
A multi-storey building under construction in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area has collapsed, killing and injuring several people. Rescue teams are coordinating amid fears of further collapses as authorities probe building approvals and safety standards.
Taiz remains encircled by Houthis, cutting off the road to Aden. UN agencies warn of dwindling water, fuel and food, with hundreds of thousands at risk and aid deliveries severely hampered. International actors are increasing relief funding as the clock runs out for life-saving assistance.
Authorities say rebel forces are collapsing and urge fighters to enter a disarmament program, while government troops and allies conduct security operations. A drone strike near Mekelle has killed several civilians as fighting continues three weeks after rebels lost the regional capital.
The United States is pressuring Cuba amid renewed talk of military action. President Trump has revived the possibility of a Cuban intervention, while Cuban officials warn against foreign aggression. The CIA has issued informal recruitment messages as disputes over sanctions and fuel intensify.
Israel’s 2026 election is approaching a likely deadlock as Netanyahu and Eisenkot struggle to form a coalition. Campaigns are leveraging AI and online ads, while undecided voters weigh security, settlement policy and Arab-party alliances.
Israeli forces have expanded operations in Hebron after a deadly attack at a military checkpoint, displacing thousands of Palestinians and prompting international concerns. The government has pledged a large-scale response, while the UN and rights groups call for restraint.
The Israel Defense Forces have imposed a full lockdown on Hebron and surrounding areas following a Friday attack in which two Israeli soldiers were killed. Palestinians faced displacement as homes were demolished and thousands were uprooted. Israeli authorities warn that the measure will last several days, with further arrests and raids planned across the northern West Bank.
Protesters in Tel Aviv rally three days before Israel’s general election, organized by the October Council to demand accountability for the October 7 Hamas attack. Opponents and supporters convene, with polls showing a tight race between Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc and a rival coalition. The event seeks a state commission of inquiry into security failures while authorities warn of potential provocations.
The Middle East edges toward greater diplomatic flurry as Pakistan’s army chief visits Tehran, while the US, Iran, and allied forces intensify actions in Yemen, Gaza, and Hormuz waterways. New talks come as Russia and Qatar broker channels, signaling a multi-front push to avert a wider war.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has found that Israeli forces have committed a widespread and systematic attack on civilians in the West Bank and Gaza since October 2023, including acts of genocide in Gaza and sexual violence. The report urges immediate steps to end occupation, remove settlers, and address abuses by Palestinian authorities.
Palestinian citizens in Israel face potential intimidation as Likud and Religious Zionist activists plan to deploy about 2,000 observers to polling stations. Rights groups have filed petitions to ban armed polling officials, citing risk of violence and voter suppression ahead of Election Day.
Jordanian air strikes have targeted groups linked to the attackers of a Greek Orthodox church funeral in Karak. Syria says it was not coordinated with Damascus. The Nassib border crossing has been closed by Syria, and arrests have been made in Jordan.
Macklemore has launched his Free Palestine Tour in Dublin after Ed Sheeran dropped him for pro-Palestinian comments. The Dublin show sold out amid chants of “Free Palestine,” with fans praising the rapper’s stance and vowing support for Palestinian causes. Other artists on tour have pulled out in solidarity, and Sheeran has said the decision was promoter-driven.