Israeli strike kills three civilians in central Gaza An Israeli strike on Friday evening killed three civilians and injured others near the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, Wafa news agency reported. The report said that an Israeli combat drone targeted a vehicle near the refugee camp entrance, and the bodies of the slain people, along with the wounded, were evacuated to Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah.
Trump says Iran attacks on ships violation of ceasefire Iran has fired at least four one-way attack drones at ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump said on Friday, adding that one of the drones hit the upper deck of a cargo ship. "Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way. We knocked down three other Drones.
Israel and Lebanon expected to sign framework agreement in Washington, report says Israel and Lebanon are expected to sign a framework agreement in Washington on Friday, Reuters reported, citing senior Israeli officials. The Israeli officials did not immediately provide further details.
'I was doxxed': UK doctors welcome BMA protections for criticism of Israel The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents over 200,000 doctors in the UK , this week voted to reject the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition on antisemitism within the NHS. The motion, which was passed at the union’s annual representatives meeting (ARM), raised concerns about the application of the definition, and called for an immediate investigation into its impact on legitimate political speech and professional expression on Israel 's actions in Palestine , as well as the right for healthcare bodies to challenge attempts to use it to suppress debate on human rights violations and war crimes. Its passage means that BMA members can lobby the government, NHS England, and stakeholders for policy change on these issues.
Ships crossing Hormuz use Oman passage despite Iran warnings Traffic levels in the Strait of Hormuz fell back from Wednesday's high, but vessels continued to use a non-Iranian-approved passage, despite a ship being struck by a projectile, tracking platforms showed Friday. At least 42 commodity vessels - including tankers carrying oil, gas, and dry bulk such as fertilisers - crossed on Thursday, Kpler's tracking platform showed, down from a high of 57 on Wednesday. Ten of those vessels entered the Gulf, while 32 exited.
US considering moving Gulf bases damaged by Iran to Israel The US is considering moving some of its Gulf bases to Israel after they were attacked by Iran earlier this year. A report in the Wall Street Journal says the US is considering refurnishing its base in Bahrain and winding down its presence in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia . Two officials cited in the report suggest the US could relocate some bases to Israel.
Rights groups file complaint against Polish TNT producer over Gaza war crimes Three international organisations have filed a criminal complaint against Polish state-owned company Nitro-Chem, accusing representatives of the Nato alliance’s largest TNT producer of alleged involvement in international crimes against Palestinians in Gaza. The complaint was filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the European Legal Support Center (ELSC). Three Palestinian rights groups, including Al-Haq, Al-Mezan and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, as well as individual survivors, will join proceedings and submit evidence detailing the scale of destruction in Gaza.
UN says 115 vessels, 2,500 seafarers evacuated from Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday A total of about 115 vessels and 2,500 seafarers have been evacuated from the Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday, the head of the UN maritime body said Friday. International Maritime Organization secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez gave the update after the IMO on Thursday suspended its efforts to evacuate some 600 ships and 11,000 sailors, following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Dominguez told an online press conference that "115 (vessels) have evacuated in the last three and a half days, representing around 2,500 seafarers that have now safely left the Strait of Hormuz.
'I was doxxed': UK doctors welcome BMA protections for criticism of Israel Submitted by Amara Sophia Elahi on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 09:21 The British Medical Association rejects use of IHRA's definition on antisemitism within the NHS A member of the British Medical Association joins staff during the first day of a six-day resident doctors' strike outside the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust on 7 April 2026 (AFP) Off The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents over 200,000 doctors in the UK , this week voted to reject the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition on antisemitism within the NHS. The motion, which was passed at the union’s annual representatives meeting (ARM), raised concerns about the application of the definition, and called for an immediate investigation into its impact on legitimate political speech and professional expression on Israel 's actions in Palestine , as well as the right for healthcare bodies to challenge attempts to use it to suppress debate on human rights violations and war crimes. Its passage means that BMA members can lobby the government, NHS England, and stakeholders for policy change on these issues.
Sanctioned ICC judges sue Trump in US over 'attack on judicial independence' Submitted by Sondos Asem on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 13:06 Three serving members of The Hague-based court say asset freezes and travel bans tied to investigations in Palestine and Afghanistan are punishment for doing their jobs Canadian ICC judge Kimberly Prost is among three judges bringing the case against the Trump administration (ICC official photo) Off A federal court in New York has summoned US President Donald Trump to respond to a lawsuit brought by three sitting judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), who accuse his administration of punishing them with sweeping sanctions for their work on investigations involving Israel and the United States . The summons, issued on Thursday by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, requires the government to respond within 60 days to a complaint filed a day earlier by judges Kimberly Prost of Canada, Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda and Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin. The case names Trump as the lead defendant, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
UAE and Iranian foreign ministers discuss Hormuz and MOU UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke over the phone on Friday with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Emirati state media has reported. The Emirati minister stressed to Araghchi the importance of protecting maritime corridors and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran had said it must control shipping going through the crucial chokehold. Al-Nahyan said every part of the MOU signed between Iran and the US must be adhered to, and said that diplomacy and dialogue were the best way to solve regional difficulties, Emirati state media reported.
Israel bans call to prayer at Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque for fifth day Submitted by Lubna Masarwa on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 13:48 Palestinians say latest measures deepen Israeli control over occupied West Bank site A woman looks through an iron gate at the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, on 16 June 2026 (Hazem Bader/AFP) Off Israeli forces have banned the call to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron for a fifth consecutive day, in the latest escalation against Palestinian presence at the site. The Israeli army has also issued orders barring the mosque's director, Sheikh Mutaz Abu Sneineh, and the head of its custodians, Hammam Abu Murkhiya, from entering the site for 12 days. The call to prayer, known in Arabic as the adhan, has been prohibited since Sunday, a Palestinian source told Middle East Eye.
Italy rejects Rutte claims of 'massive' support for war on Iran Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rejected comments by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte that Rome allowed US aircraft to use Italian air bases during the war on Iran. Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Rutte pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s statements that several EU allies had failed to support the US-Israeli assault, saying Italy had allowed “500 US planes” to take off from Italian bases. “Country after country, ally after ally after ally have made their bases available for Epic Fury,” Rutte said, suggesting that some 4,000 to 5000 planes had taken off from European bases during the war.
Eastern Libyan government releases Gaza convoy activists after month of imprisonment Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 12:25 Members of the Global Sumud Convoy were allowed to leave country after Khalifa Haftar's forces stopped them near Sirte Members of the 'Sumud 2' land convoy prepare to leave for the Gaza Strip, from the staging and coordination camp in the Joud Daem, about 30km west of Tripoli on 15 May (AFP/Mahmud Turkia) Off Authorities allied with Khalifa Haftar's administration in Libya have released 10 activists who were detained in the Libyan desert en route to Gaza in late May after a month in captivity. The detainees - including activists from Spain, Poland, the United States , Argentina, Uruguay, Portugal, Tunisia and Italy - were held by the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), loyal to Haftar, after being arrested as part of the Global Sumud Convoy. The convoy had been stopped near the city of Sirte while attempting to travel east to reach Gaza.
Israel will remain in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza 'without time limit' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have said that troops will maintain an indefinite presence in southern Lebanon , Syria and the Gaza Strip. They were both speaking at a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel on Thursday. “We dominate southern Lebanon, from the summit of the Beaufort, and we will remain as long as required in the security zone,” Netanyahu said.
Italy's Meloni rejects Rutte claims of ‘massive’ Italian support for Iran war Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 12:15 Nato's secretary general said '500 US planes' had taken off from Italian bases during the US-Israeli war on Iran Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace, in Rome, Italy, 7 May 2026 (Reuters/Remo Casilli) Off Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rejected comments by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte that Rome allowed US aircraft to use Italian air bases during the war on Iran. Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Rutte pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s statements that several EU allies had failed to support the US-Israeli assault, saying Italy had allowed “500 US planes” to take off from Italian bases. “Country after country, ally after ally after ally have made their bases available for Epic Fury,” Rutte said, suggesting that some 4,000 to 5000 planes had taken off from European bases during the war.
Infantino’s Middle East playbook: How Fifa boss uses geopolitics on the World Cup stage Submitted by Daniel Tester on Thu, 06/25/2026 - 11:32 The soccer supremo has been criticised for interfering in the award of tournaments to Morocco and Saudi Arabia, as well as not banning Israel from international competition Fifa President Gianni Infantino speaks during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 28 October 2025 (AFP) Off Football’s biggest World Cup is under way in the US , Mexico and Canada , as 48 teams battle through 104 matches to decide sports’ most prestigious title. At the centre of the six-week event is the Swiss-Italian Gianni Infantino , head of Fifa and a multi-billion dollar commercial and sporting empire that is rivalled only by the Olympics. Infantino has long insisted that “politics should stay out of football and football should stay out of politics".
America's 'independence' celebrates 250 years of jingoism and genocide Submitted by Joseph Massad on Thu, 06/25/2026 - 12:49 The myth of US freedom, retold by nationalist historians, politicians and corporate media, erases the slavery, dispossession and white supremacy on which the republic was built A view of the "UFC Freedom 250" event hosted by US President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on 15 June 2026 (Saul Loeb/Pool via Reuters) On American jingoism remains the ruling ideology of the United States , on the right as well as the left and centre. The upcoming 250th anniversary of independence, which the country will celebrate on 4 July 2026, is yet another occasion to express America's ultranationalism and rewrite the country's sordid history of oppression and genocide as a story of "freedom". President Donald Trump , the hero of white supremacists and conservatives, has declared that "With a single sheet of parchment and 56 signatures, America began the greatest political journey in human history.
Japan announces $15m emergency grant for Iran, Lebanon and West Bank Japan has announced an emergency grant of $15m to support worsening humanitarian conditions in Iran, Lebanon and the occupied West Bank, its foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday. The aid will be delivered through international organisations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and will focus on healthcare, food, shelter, and water and sanitation services. An additional $640,000 will be provided through the Japan Platform to support NGO-led relief efforts in Lebanon.
Russia-US tensions mount as Lavrov escalates argument with Rubio Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Friday for “clarification” of the US role in trying to end the war in Ukraine, in a letter to his counterpart Marco Rubio. Tension between Russia and the US over Washington's efforts to end the Ukraine war has grown since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran in February. Russia has welcomed efforts to end the war on Iran and has provided some military and intelligence assistance to Tehran.
