Gaza death toll reaches 73,389 Israel has killed at least one person and injured seven in the Gaza Strip in the past day, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Since October 2023, when Israel's genocide in Gaza began, at least 73,389 Palestinians have been killed and 174,266 have been injured.
Mecca Defence Agreement will include political and military coordination, Turkey says Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will form political and military mechanisms under a defence pact signed between the regional powers last week, Turkey's defence ministry said, adding the alliance would also deepen defence industry cooperation. At a weekly briefing in Ankara, the ministry said the mechanisms would include the three countries' defence ministers, foreign ministers, and military chiefs. It added that joint military exercises were also being planned under the pact, while cooperation could include joint production and technology sharing in the defence industry.
Salvage operation for stricken tanker off Omani coast begins British maritime security company Ambrey said it has been engaged in the salvage of the stricken tanker Caroline Bezengi off the Omani coast and that salvage vessels are en route to support the operation, Reuters reports. Ambrey said it was "working diligently with all relevant stakeholders", and had contracted the support of a leading international oil spill response company. It added specialist personnel have already boarded the vessel to assess conditions on board, and commence cargo stabilisation operations.
Maersk CEO says conditions right to increase transit through Suez Maersk, a Danish shipping company which accounts for 15 percent of maritime transport worldwide, reported a second-quarter operating profit above expectations and raised its full-year earnings guidance. CEO Vincent Clerc said he thought the "conditions for a full return to Suez during 2026 are in place", as long as "nothing happens in Yemen". Yemen's Houthis have been attacking ships transiting through Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea since 2023, and announced a full blockade of vessels transporting Saudi oil last month.
Why the position of Palestinian health workers in Israel has grown increasingly precarious Submitted by Ghada Majadli on Wed, 08/12/2026 - 15:41 Controversy over the treatment of soldiers at Rambam Hospital has cast a spotlight on the increasing stigmatisation of Arab staff Rambam Hospital in Haifa, Israel, is pictured on 18 April 2024 (Jack Guez/AFP) On A recent controversy involving Palestinian medical staff at Haifa’s Rambam Hospital reveals several important things about the position of Palestinian citizens of Israel , particularly within the healthcare system. The staff members were publicly lambasted following allegations that they mistreated and neglected Israeli soldiers in their care, including by speaking only Arabic at the hospital. The subsequent public debate has gone beyond the specific details of this case, raising broader questions about linguistic rights.
Polls open in crunch Clacton contest between Reform's Nigel Farage and Count Binface Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 08/12/2026 - 14:39 The Reform leader was elected MP for Clacton in 2024 but resigned last month to trigger the by-election, but a satirical candidate offers his biggest challenge The two main candidates in Thursday's by-election are Nigel Farage and Count Binface (AFP) Off Voters are heading to the polls on Thursday in the seaside town of Claton, on England's east coast, to vote in one of the most unusual by-elections in recent British history. The two main candidates are Nigel Farage, the leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, which was until recently dominating in the national polls, and Count Binface , a man dressed as a bin. Farage was elected MP for Clacton in 2024 but resigned last month in order to trigger the by-election.
Iran says Strait of Hormuz is under its control The Strait of Hormuz is "under Iran's control and management", the head of Iran's Basij paramilitary unit, Hossein Taeb, said on Thursday, according to Fars news agency. The remarks came a day after U. S.
British maritime company engaged in salvage of stricken vessel off Omani coast The British maritime security company Ambrey said early on Thursday that it has been involved in the salvage of the stricken tanker Caroline Bezengi off the Omani coast. It added that salvage vessels are en route to support the ongoing operation.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Here is a recap of the latest developments: The chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council indicated the government does not want a deal with the Houthis, and instead called for "lasting and sustainable peace" based on a state that holds a monopoly on weapons and sovereignty. He added that the internationally recognised government has concluded that the Houthis amount to "a project of war and destruction, not a project of peace". Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi says Baghdad will not allow its territory or airspace to be utilised for launching attacks against neighbouring countries, according to the Iraqi News Agency.
Pakistan says Israel's refusal to withdraw forces from Gaza 'serious setback' to peace plan Pakistan has expressed its rejection of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said that a Palestinian state stands in "accordance with international law and UN resolutions", and added that its statehood had "an established international legality". Andrabi argued that Israeli rejections cannot alter the legal and diplomatic reality of the issue, saying: "Remark to the contrary to this established international legality means nothing," With regards to Netanyahu's remarks about his refusal to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad that this would constitute "serious setback to the decision taken at the Board of Peace, because the disarmament of Hamas and the evacuation of Gaza by Israeli troops were twin commitments".
Israeli troops set on fire, bombed homes in south Lebanon The National News Agency reported that Israeli forces carried out bombing and set ablaze homes early on Thursday in the southern Lebanese towns of Majdal Zoun, Mansouri and their general surroundings. Israel has continued its attacks in the country despite peace talks.
CIA had ‘low confidence’ in Israel's claims of Iranian threat to Trump: Report US intelligence officials were sceptical of an alleged Iranian assassination threat against Donald Trump that was relayed by Israel, sources told The Washington Post. The threat was relayed by the Israeli government to the CIA, but analysts had doubts about the credibility of the information and conveyed their thoughts to the Trump administration, one official indicated. Another official described the reports of threats against the US president's life as "Israeli-derived, not U.
Houthi spokesperson's X account suspended Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree's X account has been suspended, with a message on the platform reading "Account suspended. X suspends accounts which violate the X Rules". It is unclear as to why Saree's account has been removed.
Iran's Araghchi slams France for 'hypocrisy' over human rights Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi criticised France and other countries for what he described as "hypocrisy" when it comes to human rights and international law amid continued support for Israel. "Countries like France should stop lecturing the world about 'human rights' and international law. The hypocrisy is blatant and embarrassing," he said in a post on X.
Israel has 'policy of ethnic cleansing' of Palestinians in West Bank, advocate says Aseel Baidoun, the deputy director of advocacy and campaigns for Medical Aid for Palestinians, says that the Israeli government has a "systematic policy and a campaign of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians” in the occupied West Bank Aseel Baidoun, the deputy director of advocacy and campaigns for Medical Aid for Palestinians, says that the Israeli government has a "systematic policy and a campaign of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians” in the occupied West Bank. pic. twitter.
Iraq will not be used as 'launch pad' for attacks on neighbours, prime minister says Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi says Baghdad will not allow its territory or airspace to be utilised for launching attacks against neighbouring countries, according to the Iraqi News Agency. "Iraq is working to protect its national security and sovereignty, and it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used as a launching pad for any aggression against neighbouring countries," Zaidi was quoted as saying during a visit to Iraq’s Air Defence Command Operations Centre. "Iraqi skies and sovereignty are inviolable, and any violation of its airspace or infringement upon its security will not be tolerated from any quarter.
Yemen's presidential council chief says no plans for truce with Houthis The chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council indicated the government does not want a deal with the Houthis. "We are not for a new truce that reproduces previous experiences," Rashad al-Alimi said, and instead called for "lasting and sustainable peace" based on a state that holds a monopoly on weapons and sovereignty. He added that the internationally recognised government has concluded that the Houthis amount to "a project of war and destruction, not a project of peace".
Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt's inclusion in Mecca agreement, sources say Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt joining the security pact signed with Turkey and Pakistan last week, despite Ankara's push for Cairo to be included, three Saudi sources familiar with the discussions told Middle East Eye. One of the sources, a former senior adviser to the Saudi monarchy, said Riyadh did not want Egypt to join the agreement "at least for now". All three sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, said the Saudi position was driven by a growing frustration with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government and a belief in Riyadh that Egypt no longer offered the strategic or military value it once did.
Hamas condemns Israeli strike on Gaza Hamas has condemned Israel for a Wednesday air strike on Gaza which left one killed and others wounded. In a statement, the group said that the attack “confirms the occupation’s insistence on thwarting the efforts of the mediators, guarantors and the Board of Peace to reach an agreement that achieves a sustainable ceasefire”.
Lebanon passes sweeping amnesty law for prisoners, wanted people Lebanon's parliament on Wednesday passed a sweeping and long-awaited amnesty law that should benefit thousands of prisoners and wanted people, in the first legislation of its kind since 1991. The law, which had been a demand of various political factions and a topic of debate for years, aims to reduce prison overcrowding, with many inmates awaiting trial for years. The office of the country's parliament speaker announced the "approval of a draft law aimed at granting a general amnesty and exceptionally reducing the terms of certain sentences".
