Citizens of a multiethnic state, central to Middle East dynamics
Lebanese Christian village leaders have rejected Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that some southern Lebanon villages asked to be annexed by Israel. They say the claim is false and aimed at inflaming sectarian tensions. Officials emphasise safety, dignity and loyalty to Lebanon amid ongoing Israel-Hezbollah hostilities.
A Gaza City school built entirely of wood is serving around 850 students, with plans to expand to about 2,200. The project, led by the Wefaq Humanitarian Foundation, provides desks, classrooms, and a roof after years of disruption to education amid ongoing conflict.
Miliband has furthered UK-US discussions in Washington, stressing the urgency of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to ease living costs while reaffirming support for Ukraine and calling for humanitarian relief in Gaza; Rubio shares a more measured public account of their talks.
Residents in Masafer Yatta and West Bank villages have reported repeated settler attacks, property damage and soldiers escorting or standing by during incidents. Witnesses have described settlers grazing livestock in homes' gardens, arson, and assaults near mosques. Humanitarian groups have recorded high demolition and displacement rates since October 2023.
Settlers have besieged three Palestinian homes in Qusra near Nablus, cutting off water and power. US Ambassador Huckabee has publicly condemned the violence as "disgusting" and warned of accountability, while Israel weighs moving civilian policing into the occupied West Bank. The UN and Palestinian authorities condemn the siege as a tactic of displacement.
A commander in Hamas’ Jenin cell has been killed in an Israeli airstrike following an intelligence-led operation. The strike targets a vehicle carrying three militants, with weapons recovered at the scene. Israeli officials say Bitawi directed and financed attacks in the West Bank and maintained links with Hamas leadership. The operation comes as Israel amplifies its counterterrorism actions in the West Bank amid ongoing tensions with Hamas and allied groups.
The controversy surrounding Hasan Piker’s remarks has prompted strong responses from Democratic leaders and candidates, underscoring the challenge of unifying diverse voter blocs ahead of midterm-style contests. Piker has faced mounting scrutiny over antisemitism accusations, while candidates emphasize policy concerns like gas, groceries, and healthcare.