A holy city at the heart of Israeli–Palestinian tensions
NAZA, an 80‑minute documentary by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has premiered at the Venice film festival, won a special jury prize and received a 25‑minute standing ovation. The film has presented anonymous testimony from 24 Israeli military and intelligence figures alleging AI‑assisted targeting that killed large numbers of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Israeli ministers and the military have rejected the claims and threatened legal and security action.
The UK has announced a ban on imports and services linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and has coordinated measures with several allies. Israel has closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem and imposed retaliatory diplomatic steps. British Jewish leaders are split and ministers are defending the move as necessary to protect the two‑state prospect.
Palestinians face demolitions and clashes with Israeli forces and settlers across the West Bank, including Abu El-Ajaj Bedouin community near Jericho, Muthallath Al-Shuhada, and Faqqua. Dozens of structures are destroyed or threatened, livelihoods are impacted, and lives are at risk as operations widen amid rising tensions.
A six-storey building in Gaza City’s Tal al-Hawa collapses after being damaged in the war, killing at least 12 and injuring many others. Rescue teams, including Gazan Civil Defence and international partners, are searching for more victims beneath the rubble as concerns over shelter, winter risk, and safety rise.
A student activist has been found not guilty of expressing support for Hamas in a 2023 SOAS speech. The acquittal ends a retrial after a 2024 verdict left one charge unresolved; prosecutors argued the remarks referenced Hamas, but the defense said she supported Palestinians’ right to resist. The case underscores tensions around free speech and anti-terrorism laws in Britain.
Leaders and senior officials gather in Paris for US-mediated talks on disarming Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and replacing UNIFIL with a multinational force. The discussions come as Israel maintains a military footprint in Lebanon and faces ongoing strikes by Hezbollah, while Lebanon seeks to strengthen its army’s authority and sovereignty. A donor conference for Lebanese forces is expected later this year or early 2027.
Arab-led Ra’am is evaluating alliance options as its internal politics intersect with cross-communal efforts. Leaders stress a civic, rather than religious, framing while debates about joining a wider coalition persist ahead of the October 27 election.
Actor Mark Ruffalo has urged lawmakers to block Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery, linking the deal to Oracle’s ties to Israel. Paramount calls the rhetoric antisemitic tropes; George Clooney defends Ruffalo’s right to speak. Over 170 Jewish artists have signed a letter supporting Ruffalo. The merger remains under antitrust scrutiny and on hold as debate intensifies.
A mix of mortgage rates remaining elevated and inventory growth is shaping US and UK housing markets. Cash sales have cooled, financed buyers are gaining ground, and prices show modest changes in several markets. Analysts warn of continued affordability challenges and potential further rate-related pressure.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has flown to Moscow for undisclosed talks with Russian intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin. Moscow says President Vladimir Putin was briefed but did not meet Ratcliffe. U.S. and Russian accounts conflict over whether Ratcliffe warned Russia against attacking NATO or discussed restarting U.S.-mediated peace talks for Ukraine. The visit is the first CIA director trip to Moscow since 2021.
Israeli rights activists aiding Palestinians in Jannatah near Bethlehem have faced violence as settlers target solidarity efforts. Journalists accompanying the group have reported injuries, property damage, and intimidation as outposts are dismantled and rebuilt amid ongoing tension ahead of elections.
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh has told the Jackson Hole symposium that recent inflation readings have not shown that underlying trends have meaningfully improved and that short-term rates remain the Fed's primary tool. Markets have pushed up Treasury yields and raised odds of a September rate increase as officials debate whether to tighten policy.
Abdelhamid has postponed his North American concerts until spring 2027 after visa delays. Officials point to tighter immigration rules under the current administration, with other artists also canceling US dates. The Independent and New York Post report a separate tragedy affecting J. Cole’s Sacramento show, prompting refunds.
Lebanon and Israel are engaged in direct talks mediated by the US, after Hezbollah-triggered conflict escalations. A framework signed in June calls for Hezbollah disarmament and a staged Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon, with Greece and Athens’ arms deal cited as regional context. Lebanon seeks renewed UNIFIL support as violence persists.
A trio of stories track unusual rainfall in Israel and across the region, driven by El Niño, with storms in the Philippines and Europe facing record heat. The aim is to explain how shifting climate patterns are producing abnormal weather this season.
The Shin Bet has confirmed a significant threat to Yair Netanyahu and has extracted him and his security team from Florida, returning them to Israel. Netanyahu has claimed Iran targeted one of his sons, prompting international security actions and ongoing scrutiny of the case.
Israeli special forces have conducted a raid in western Gaza City that has resulted in the capture of a senior Hamas security official and multiple strikes across the area. Palestinian authorities and hospitals have reported deaths and injuries, including children, while Israeli officials say the operation targeted a senior internal-security figure tied to past attacks.
Thailand has tightened visa-free stays and limited land entries for tourists after a wave of incidents involving Israeli visitors and other travelers. Officials say the measures are aimed at protecting local culture while maintaining tourism, with outreach to guide visitors and avoid clashes.
The Times of Israel reports that Ben Gvir has announced a freeze on senior police appointments except for urgent cases, citing election timing. The move follows disputes over the rank and personnel aligned with the Attorney General, with Haaretz and Channel 12 mentioning ongoing talks and potential reappointments. Other All Africa items detail corruption probes and arrests within national authorities in Malawi and Mozambique.
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have killed civilians and damaged infrastructure amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah. The target areas include Kfar Rumman, Nabatieh, and surrounding towns as diplomatic efforts to disarm Hezbollah and withdraw Israeli forces continue under a US-brokered framework. The toll includes women, children, and rescuers, with casualties and displacement prompting international concern.
The UK has announced a broader policy review on its stance toward Israeli settlements, with ministers signaling potential bans on settlement goods and related services to push for a two-state solution. The stance follows recent calls for a comprehensive reset of UK-Israel relations and ongoing debates over international law.
Defence Minister Katz has stated that there is no real solution for Gaza without migration, saying Israel is prepared to relocate Gazans by sea, air, and other means. The idea is being discussed as part of a broader debate over displacement, with international concern growing over humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The United States and Iran remain in a strained confrontation as sanctions, naval blockades, and economic pressure persist. Reports show rising fuel costs and public discomfort at home, while Iran faces internal pressures amid energy shortages and crackdowns on protests. Political leaders debate the legality and scope of the conflict, with midterm dynamics shaping how aggressively the administration pursues escalation or restraint.
Israel maintains a presence in southern Lebanon and says it has cleared tunnels beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge. Hezbollah has not commented on the claim. The ridge overlooks a wide area and sits near Nabatieh; clashes persist despite a US-brokered ceasefire framework.
The United States has launched a broad campaign to dismantle the ICC, arguing it threatens sovereignty and targets US officials. The push follows arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and other moves linked to Gaza. Governments abroad are defending international justice while warning that unchecked actions could erode due process and undermine global accountability.
The Trump administration has been developing a postwar Middle East strategy. Officials have described a regional alignment with the United States as guarantor, a Gaza disarmament path, security ties with Israel and Syria, and expanded Abraham Accords, including Saudi normalization. Drafts remain unsettled and hinge on the Iran war’s trajectory and regional responses.
The U.S. ambassador has highlighted security responsibilities for Palestinians in the West Bank as settler violence surges, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensifying amid Israeli government activity in the occupied territories.
The West Bank is facing a surge in settler violence as international attention mounts. US Ambassador Huckabee has met Palestinian Americans in Turmus Ayya, calling for accountability and stating there is no plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza. Britain, France and Canada announce sanctions on settlement-linked activity, signaling growing international pressure on Israel. The political landscape in Israel remains unsettled as elections approach.
Palestinian rights groups report increased casualties and displacement as Israeli ministers push for hardline measures; Western states expand arms exports while debates over sanctions deepen. The pieces highlight the diverging international responses to the Gaza crisis.
Nauru has inaugurated an embassy in Jerusalem, making it one of the few small states to move or open a mission in the disputed city. The ceremony’s remarks cast the move as a clear alignment with Israel, drawing swift responses that frame the act as a challenge to the international status quo and to potential Palestinian rights protections. Other nations have followed or signaled similar moves in recent years, heightening the diplomatic scramble over Jerusalem’s status.
Iran's state media has touted a new missile test against a US warship, with Tehran claiming a turning point in its defense. The US has hit Iranian oil tankers in response, and both sides warn of further escalation as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains contested.
Iran has introduced a higher price for its heaviest gasoline users, marking the second such hike since December. The move targets those exceeding the 110-liter monthly quota and is expected to influence consumer inflation amid a weak currency and rising living costs.
Haaretz has published book excerpts saying UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Hamas was planning a major operation. Haaretz says Netanyahu reacted calmly and did not inform Israel's security chiefs; Netanyahu has denied the call, instructed lawyers to sue Haaretz, and rivals have seized the story ahead of the Oct. 27 election.
Israel has closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem as part of retaliatory moves after the UK announced a trade ban with settlements in the West Bank. The dispute also involves discussions over a Gaza ceasefire and British officials barred from entering Israel. Several former diplomats warn the move risks harming Palestinians and destabilising regional relations.
John Malkovich has cancelled a Tel Aviv date for The Music Critic after a PR firm attributed quotes to him. He says he never made the statements and will not participate in the performance. The Israeli promoter and the PR firm apologize for the error. The show’s tour continues elsewhere.
As the High Holy Days approach, Jewish communities confront rising antisemitic threats and political tensions. Leaders urge preparedness over hope, while incidents and surveys show an uptick in fear and division since 9/11’s 25th anniversary.
Somaliland’s president says the breakaway region is ready to contribute up to 2,000 troops to a US-led International Stabilization Force in Gaza if formally asked, while other nations weigh participation and Israel’s recognition boosts Somaliland’s international profile.
A final count has given Magdalena Andersson’s centre-left bloc 176 seats versus 173 for the incumbent right — a three-seat parliamentary majority decided by about 50,359 votes. Ulf Kristersson has submitted his resignation and the speaker will begin moves to nominate a new prime minister. Andersson has invited other left parties to coalition talks.
Arab News reports a renewed push to institutionalize Turkiye-Arab higher education cooperation, reviving post-Arab Spring ties. A Turkiye-Arab Higher Education Forum is planned with biannual meetings and a joint action plan, building on earlier plans and the realignment of regional relations.
Israel has destroyed an extensive Hezbollah tunnel complex under the Ali al‑Taher ridge, using more than 1,000 tonnes of explosives to demolish two tunnels stretching over 2km. The blast registered as a 4.1‑magnitude tremor, Israeli leaders have said forces will remain to prevent Hezbollah from returning, and Lebanese towns have reported shock, damage and civilian displacement.
Tensions flare in the Jenin-area villages as Israeli settlers clash with Palestinian residents; troops have dispersed confrontations and investigated shootings, including a Palestinian man shot in the leg during stone-throwing incidents. Investigations are underway into the conduct of the soldiers involved.
The latest round of tit-for-tat strikes has targeted Iranian oil tankers and U.S. ships in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island, with Iran and the U.S. exchanging retaliatory blows. The flare-up follows Houthi attacks on Saudi facilities and heightens fears for global oil shipments through the Hormuz chokepoint.
Palestinian and Israeli sources report that visitors—including some who performed rituals—have entered the Al-Aqsa/Haram al-Sharif compound with police protection, amid calls by Israeli groups to tour the site during the Jewish holiday season. Authorities have previously restricted Palestinian access during holidays as settlers mark the New Year.
The Houthis have seized on strategic ground along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, taking the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands and expanding pressure around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The move follows recent gains and heightens concerns over oil shipments, with civilians displaced and international actors calling for restraint.
B’Tselem warns that Israel’s West Bank policies amount to a coordinated effort to dismantle Palestinian life. Five interlinked fronts—violence, movement limits, economic strangulation, social-political destruction, and ethnic cleansing—have accelerated since late 2022 and amid the Gaza war. The report cites 1,087 Palestinian deaths in the West Bank since Oct 2023 and ongoing displacement and land seizures.
Norway has proposed a bill to criminalize trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem after consultations, aligning with broader Western sanctions. The measure targets goods from settlements, including wine and construction materials, amid escalating regional tensions and international criticism.
A Swiss court has found a Chinese student guilty of attempted murder for a 2024 knife attack on three five-year-old children near a Zurich daycare. The suspect claimed mental illness, but prosecutors argued careful planning and even questions to ChatGPT about legal consequences. The court imposed a sentence and allowed an appeal.
Britain has announced sanctions in response to West Bank settlement activity, with measures targeting imports from settlements and discretionary sanctions on entities supporting settlement expansion. The move comes ahead of Israel's looming election and amid international coordination with France and Canada.
More than 130 legal experts have urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to broaden UK sanctions on Israeli settlements, saying measures so far fall short of the ICJ advisory opinion. The letter accompanies Ed Miliband’s ban on settlement imports and calls for a Russia-style crackdown across the entire occupation.
AWS has determined it cannot restore access to resources and data in Bahrain and one UAE site after March drone strikes. The company is focusing on UAE resources across other regions while Bahrain resources remain unavailable.