Ben Gvir leads mass storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound — Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir led hundreds of settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy police protection on Thursday, coinciding with Jerusalem Day flag march provocations. Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority condemned the incursion as a "blatant violation of the historic and legal status quo," with Jordan calling it an "unacceptable provocation." →
Lebanon-Israel direct talks resume in Washington amid cautious optimism — Day one of the third round of ambassador-level negotiations between Lebanon and Israel concluded Thursday evening at the US State Department, with talks set to resume Friday. Lebanese officials expressed cautious optimism about securing a new ceasefire deal, while UN officials voiced hope the talks would "contribute to an effective and durable ceasefire." →
Fatah Eighth Congress re-elects Abbas, pledges elections and reform — President Mahmoud Abbas was unanimously re-elected as Fatah leader on Thursday at the movement's Eighth Congress in Ramallah, vowing to hold long-delayed presidential and legislative elections. Insiders told Mondoweiss the movement faces an "existential crisis" with Palestinian Authority legitimacy at an all-time low amid the Gaza genocide and West Bank annexation. →
Trump claims Xi Jinping promised not to arm Iran during Beijing summit — US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping told him Beijing "will not provide military equipment to Iran" and expressed support for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. The claim came during Trump's high-stakes visit to Beijing, his first in nine years, as the Iran war casts a shadow over bilateral talks. →
UNICEF: 200 children killed in Lebanon since March 2, with 59 killed or injured in past week — UNICEF reported Thursday that at least 200 children have been killed in Lebanon from Israeli attacks since March 2. The agency said 23 children have been killed and 93 others injured since an April 17 ceasefire, describing the figures as "a stark reminder of the ongoing risks children continue to face." →
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigns, intensifying pressure on Starmer — British Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned Thursday citing loss of confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership, while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced plans to return to parliament. The moves signal growing momentum toward a potential leadership challenge against Starmer amid Labour's declining popularity. →
CIA Director John Ratcliffe meets Cuban officials in Havana — CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Cuban officials in Havana on Thursday as part of ongoing US-Cuba dialogue, according to the Cuban government. The meeting comes as Cuba faces a deepening energy crisis with 22-hour blackouts, and President Diaz-Canel said Washington's $100 million aid offer was "inconsistent" while the US blockade remains. →
Eurovision braces for new protests over Israel's participation — Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna are preparing for demonstrations against Israel's participation in Saturday's grand final, as pro-Palestine activists intensify campaigns targeting the event. →
UN warns of deepening energy crisis in Cuba amid fuel shortages — The UN warned Thursday that Cuba's fuel reserves are "largely exhausted" as the situation has "deteriorated" in recent days, with power blackouts reaching 22 hours daily. Cuba's president noted the US blockade remains the "easiest" obstacle to lifting. →
Former Israel Hayom reporter says army deleted October 7 security footage — The Israeli army secretly seized and deleted parts of the October 7 security camera footage from Kibbutz Be'eri, according to a report in Israel Hayom, deepening scrutiny of the official Israeli narrative of that day. →
Belgian university to withdraw from five EU research projects with Israeli partners — Ghent University (UGent) in Belgium confirmed plans to withdraw simultaneously from its five remaining EU Horizon research projects involving Israeli partners, rector Petra De Sutter announced Thursday. →
Danish police baton-charge activists at Maersk protest over Israel-linked cargo — Danish police used batons and detained activists during a protest outside Maersk headquarters in Copenhagen, as the "Mask off Maersk" campaign demanded the company halt shipments allegedly connected to Israel. →
US announces $1.8 billion humanitarian funding for UN-led relief — The Trump administration announced an additional $1.8 billion in humanitarian funding to support UN-led relief efforts, envoy Mike Waltz said Thursday, as the US war on Iran continues to exacerbate global humanitarian crises. →
Palestinian Authority signs $1.373 billion budget law amid deepening fiscal crisis — The PA budget for 2026 was signed into law Thursday, allocating nearly 47% to salaries and 18% to social assistance, as unemployment in the occupied territories exceeds 50%. →
Anadolu Agency releases documentary on Israeli violations in Sheikh Jarrah — The Turkish state news agency's documentary, "The Ongoing Nakba," documents Israel's systematic displacement of Palestinians in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood over 20 years. →
Israel's Al-Aqsa provocations are escalating under the far-right government — Ben Gvir's storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque with hundreds of settlers on Jerusalem Day marks a deliberate escalation aimed at altering the historic status quo, directly challenging Jordanian custodianship and the entire Arab-Islamic framework for Jerusalem. The coordinated condemnations from Jordan, Egypt, and the PA reflect a unified rejection, but Israel's governing coalition appears intent on forcing a new reality on the ground.
The Lebanon-Israel negotiations are unfolding amid ongoing violence — While ambassador-level talks in Washington represent a rare moment of direct diplomacy, they are happening against a backdrop of continued Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon that have killed 200 children since March 2. The talks' success hinges on whether they can produce a durable ceasefire that addresses the root causes of the conflict, including Israel's ongoing violations of Lebanese sovereignty.
The Iran-US war is reshaping global alliances, with China playing a pivotal role — Trump's visit to Beijing and his claim that Xi promised not to arm Iran signals a complex geopolitical realignment. China is positioning itself as a mediating power while benefiting from the energy disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz crisis. The dual narrative of Chinese ships transiting under Iran's "management protocol" while Xi promises not to arm Tehran reflects Beijing's delicate balancing act.
Fatah's internal crisis mirrors the broader Palestinian political vacuum — Abbas's re-election at the Eighth Congress masks deep internal fractures within Fatah, which has failed to hold elections for nearly two decades. The movement's legitimacy is being eroded by the PA's security coordination with Israel, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the accelerating settlement expansion in the West Bank. Without genuine reform and democratic renewal, the PA's irrelevance deepens.
The EU's approach to sanctioning Israel remains performative and inadequate — While Ghent University's withdrawal from EU projects with Israeli partners and the EU's new sanctions on violent settlers represent incremental steps, critics note these measures avoid the core issue of Israel's economic relationship with Europe. The "sanctions" remain symbolic, not structural, and fail to pressure Israel to end its violations of international law.
Global protests against Israel are intensifying in new arenas — From Eurovision in Vienna to Danish shipping giant Maersk, and from Ghent University to Spanish football celebrations, the Palestinian solidarity movement is expanding to target cultural, economic, and academic complicity. The Spanish minister's public support for Lamine Yamal after he raised the Palestinian flag during Barcelona's title celebrations signals that this sentiment is reaching official levels in Europe.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir led hundreds of settlers in storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy Israeli police protection on Thursday, coinciding with the annual Jerusalem Day flag march. According to Al Quds Al Arabi, settlers raised the Israeli flag in the mosque's courtyards, a provocative act that violates the long-standing status quo governing the holy site.
Jordan and Egypt issued strong condemnations, with Jordan describing the incursion as an "unacceptable provocation" and a "blatant violation of the historic and legal status" of Jerusalem. The Palestinian Authority also denounced the storming, warning it could trigger a wider religious confrontation. Ben Gvir's actions came despite repeated international calls for restraint and as the region remains on edge due to the ongoing war on Gaza and Iran.
President Mahmoud Abbas was unanimously re-elected as head of the Fatah movement on Thursday at the Eighth Congress in Ramallah, with simultaneous sessions in Cairo and Beirut. According to Al Jazeera English, Abbas pledged to hold long-delayed presidential and legislative elections and implement internal reforms.
However, a detailed report by Mondoweiss reveals deep internal disarray. Insiders told the outlet that Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political movement for over 50 years, is facing an "existential crisis." The Congress is seen by many as a "last chance to fix the crisis," but critics note that Abbas has repeatedly promised elections without delivering them. The PA's legitimacy continues to erode due to security coordination with Israel, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the accelerating settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Israel has begun illegal settlement construction atop the historic Hebron municipality building in the southern West Bank, municipal authorities said Thursday. According to Middle East Monitor, an Anadolu Agency report cited the Hebron Municipality stating that Israeli authorities began building on the roof of its old headquarters in the Ein Al-Askar area of the Old City.
The municipality said the works aim to "impose a new status quo in violation of local and international laws," describing the construction as part of "the ongoing settlement expansion policy targeting the city of Hebron, its holy sites and historic buildings." The old municipal building has been closed for years under an Israeli military order and is considered a major historical and national landmark.
The Palestinian Authority signed into law the general budget for fiscal year 2026, totaling $1.373 billion, according to official Palestinian news agency Wafa, as reported by Al Quds Al Arabi. The budget allocates 46.7% to salaries and 18% to social assistance and development.
This comes as the PA faces a deepening fiscal crisis, with unemployment in the occupied territories exceeding 50% and donor funding dwindling. The budget approval does little to address the structural crisis of the PA's dependency on Israeli tax revenue clearance and ongoing deductions by Israel.
Israeli forces and armed Jewish settlers are carrying out increasingly coordinated attacks on Palestinian children across the occupied West Bank, the UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday, as reported by Middle East Monitor.
"We're seeing attacks become increasingly coordinated. Documented incidents include children shot, stabbed, children beaten and children pepper-sprayed," Elder said. At least 70 Palestinian children have been killed in the occupied West Bank since January 2025 — an average of one a week — and a further 850 have been injured, the vast majority by live Israeli ammunition. UNICEF said March 2026 recorded the highest number of child casualties in the West Bank in over a year.
US Representative Rashida Tlaib reintroduced a resolution on Thursday recognizing the 78th anniversary of the Nakba and reaffirming the right of return for Palestinian refugees, according to Middle East Monitor.
"The Nakba never ended," Tlaib said in a statement. "Today, the Israeli apartheid regime is committing genocide in Gaza, violently erasing entire communities across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, and bombing Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. It is a campaign to erase Palestinians from existence." The resolution, titled "Recognizing the Ongoing Nakba and Palestinian Refugees' Rights," comes ahead of the May 15 anniversary of the 1948 displacement.
The Anadolu Agency released a documentary titled "The Ongoing Nakba" documenting Israel's systematic displacement of Palestinians in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah over the past 20 years. According to Al Quds Al Arabi, the documentary highlights how settler organizations, backed by Israeli government institutions and courts, have systematically expelled Palestinian families from their homes.
The Israeli army secretly seized and deleted parts of the October 7 security camera footage from Kibbutz Be'eri, according to a report in the Hebrew-language daily Israel Hayom, cited by Middle East Monitor. The report stated that on the evening of October 9, 2023, a classified reserve unit arrived at the kibbutz and demanded the device storing all security camera recordings, promising it would be returned. The footage was never returned, and kibbutz members now believe the army deliberately removed evidence that could contradict the official Israeli narrative.
Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente publicly praised Barcelona star Lamine Yamal after the player raised the Palestinian flag during the team's Spanish league title celebrations, as reported by Al Quds Al Arabi. Puente wrote sarcastically on X: "This is how you fight terrorism... by turning life into ruin!" — in reference to Israel's destruction in Gaza.
Israel's Defense Ministry announced Thursday the signing of a contract worth over $34 million with Cyclone, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, to develop an extended-range capability for the F-35 Adir fighter jet, as reported by Middle East Monitor. The deal covers the development and integration of external fuel tanks, expected to extend the aircraft's operational range and "increase the effectiveness of the long-range operational capability of the air force," the ministry said, as Israel continues its war on Iran.
The Electronic Intifada published an investigation titled "Israel's 7 October rape hoax gets a 300-page reboot," asserting that a supposedly landmark report on sexual violence allegations by Israeli sources rests on familiar debunked witnesses and discredited sources. The piece argues that mainstream media amplified the report without proper scrutiny, further undermining the official Israeli narrative of the events.
Day one of the third round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel concluded Thursday evening at the US State Department in Washington, with talks set to resume Friday morning, according to multiple sources including Al Jazeera Arabic and Al Quds Al Arabi.
Lebanese officials expressed "cautious optimism" about the prospects of securing a new ceasefire deal, according to Al Jazeera English. The two-day ambassador-level negotiations are being brokered by the Trump administration. The talks resumed amidst ongoing Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, where a ceasefire agreement that took effect on April 17 has been fragile.
The UN welcomed the talks, with a spokesperson telling Anadolu Agency that the UN hopes "the latest round of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington... will contribute to an effective and durable ceasefire."
UNICEF reported Thursday that at least 200 children have been killed in Lebanon as a result of Israeli attacks since March 2, according to Middle East Monitor.
"Children in Lebanon continue to be at the sharp end of ongoing violence, displacement and exposure to traumatic events," UNICEF said in a statement. The agency noted that at least 59 children were killed or injured during the past week despite the April 17 ceasefire. Since April 17, 23 children have been killed and 93 others injured, with UNICEF calling the figures "a stark reminder of the ongoing risks children continue to face."
US President Donald Trump claimed Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping told him Beijing "will not provide military equipment to Iran" and expressed support for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, according to Middle East Monitor.
Trump made the comments during an interview with Fox News from Beijing, where he is on his first visit to China in nine years. "When you say 'support,' they're not fighting a war with us or anything," Trump said. "He said he's not gonna give military equipment. That's a big statement." Trump also said Xi told him China wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain open because Beijing buys large amounts of oil from the region.
Simultaneously, Chinese ships have been passing through the Strait of Hormuz under Iran's "management protocol," with 30 vessels transiting since Wednesday night under the supervision of the IRGC Navy, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
This dual narrative — Xi promising not to arm Tehran while Chinese ships pass under Iranian naval management — highlights China's delicate balancing act in the region.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged BRICS member states to condemn US-Israeli aggression against Iran, speaking at a gathering of foreign ministers in New Delhi on Thursday, as reported by Al Jazeera English. Araghchi also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines to discuss regional developments, according to Anadolu Agency.
Araghchi stated that the Strait of Hormuz had remained "fully open and secure" before the US-Israeli war, pushing back against claims that Iran has disrupted oil traffic. The BRICS meeting provides Iran a platform to rally non-Western support against the US-led military campaign.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that Iran possessed uranium enriched up to 60% before the US-Israeli war began, according to Middle East Monitor.
"Yes, sir. They did," Cooper responded when asked by a senator. Cooper maintained that there is no civilian use for uranium enriched to that threshold and said the war has increased the amount of time it would take for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. He declined to comment when asked if securing the nuclear material would require US boots on the ground in Iran.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised questions about NATO's utility amid the war with Iran, criticizing Spain for denying US aircraft access to its bases during the conflict, as reported by Middle East Monitor.
"One of the reasons why I supported NATO was because it gave us basing rights. It allowed us to have bases in Europe that we could use in a contingency like something in the Middle East," Rubio said in a Fox News interview. "So when you have NATO partners denying you the use of those bases... then what's the purpose of NATO?" The remarks signal growing tensions within the alliance over the Iran war.
President Trump's visit to Beijing dominated headlines, with the US leader stating he hopes US-China ties will be "stronger and better than ever before," according to Anadolu Agency. Trump claimed that Xi's remarks about the US being "a declining nation" referred to damage done during the previous Biden administration.
In Arabic-language analysis, Al Jazeera Arabic noted how Xi appeared "confident and decisive" compared to Trump, who seemed "submissive and more volatile and disturbed." The visit is seen as critical for managing the Iran war fallout and trade tensions.
The Iraqi parliament on Thursday approved the government of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and its ministerial program, with 14 ministers granted confidence, according to Middle East Monitor. Al-Zaidi took the constitutional oath alongside his ministers.
In his inaugural speech, Al-Zaidi committed to "monopolizing weapons in the hands of the state," as reported by Al Quds Al Arabi. This is a direct challenge to Iran-aligned armed factions, which have long operated outside government control. The new government's program includes security, political, and service reforms, with a focus on "enhancing the capabilities of the security forces."
The Trump administration pledged an additional $1.8 billion in humanitarian funding to support UN-led relief efforts, US envoy Mike Waltz announced Thursday, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
"These funds will save more lives around the world, but also drive forward the reforms that we put in place for efficiency, accountability, and lasting impact," Waltz said. The announcement comes amid the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and as the Iran war continues to displace populations and disrupt global supply chains.
Ghent University (UGent) in Belgium confirmed plans to withdraw simultaneously from its five remaining EU Horizon research projects involving Israeli partners, rector Petra De Sutter said Thursday, as reported by Middle East Monitor.
"These are the last five major Horizon projects with Israeli partners from which UGent had previously decided to withdraw," De Sutter noted. Three other collaborations will expire before any formal exit procedure is completed. The move is part of a broader academic boycott movement in Europe targeting Israeli institutions over the war on Gaza.
Danish police used batons and detained activists during a protest outside the headquarters of shipping giant Maersk in Copenhagen on Wednesday, as the "Mask off Maersk" campaign demanded the company halt shipments allegedly linked to Israel, according to Middle East Monitor.
Around 100 police officers were deployed to disperse activists attempting to blockade the entrances to Maersk's headquarters. Photos and videos showed officers dragging protesters away and detaining several demonstrators. The protest is part of a growing global campaign targeting corporations complicit in Israel's war.
Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna are preparing for demonstrations against Israel's participation in Saturday's grand final, as reported by Al Jazeera English. Pro-Palestine activists are intensifying campaigns targeting the event, building on last year's protests that saw massive demonstrations against Israel's inclusion. The finalists were confirmed after Thursday's second semi-final, with Romania's Alexandra Capitanescu and Australia's Delta Goodrem among those advancing.
British Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned Thursday, citing loss of confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer 's leadership, as reported by Anadolu Agency. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also announced plans to return to parliament, fueling speculation about a leadership challenge.
Streeting's resignation marks a significant blow to Starmer, who has faced mounting criticism over Labour's local election losses and his handling of domestic issues. The Electronic Intifada noted that Starmer's "staunch support of Zionism and his cabinet of pro-Israel loyalists will not save him from the court of public opinion."
CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Cuban officials in Havana on Thursday as part of ongoing US-Cuba dialogue, according to Al Jazeera English. The Cuban government said the meeting took place in a context of "complexity in bilateral relations" with the aim of "contributing to political dialogue."
This comes as Cuba faces a deepening energy crisis with 22-hour daily blackouts, fuel reserves "largely exhausted," and President Miguel Diaz-Canel saying Washington's $100 million aid offer was "inconsistent" while the US blockade remains in place.
The UN warned Thursday that Cuba's fuel reserves are "largely exhausted" and the situation has "deteriorated" in recent days, as reported by Anadolu Agency. Power blackouts are reaching 22 hours daily, crippling the island's economy and daily life. Cuba's President Diaz-Canel said lifting the US blockade would be an "easier" way to help the island, noting that Washington's $100 million aid offer "punishes collectively" while the embargo remains.
Explosions were heard in Bolivia as mining groups staged an antigovernment protest, demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz, according to Al Jazeera English. Paz was elected on a platform of economic reform but has faced growing opposition from the powerful mining sector.
A UN humanitarian convoy delivering aid to the city of Kherson in Ukraine was hit twice by drone strikes, as reported by Al Jazeera English. The attack marks a dangerous escalation against humanitarian operations in the conflict zone.
Nearly 20 million people in war-battered Sudan are facing acute hunger, according to a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report cited by Al Jazeera English. The crisis is driven by the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which has displaced millions and devastated agricultural production.
The UN welcomed a major detainee release deal in Yemen involving the exchange of 1,600 detainees, according to Anadolu Agency. "We continue to call for the release of all those arbitrarily detained by the Houthis," a UN official said. The deal is the largest prisoner swap in the 12-year conflict.
New official Russian data reveals that the country's prison population has shrunk by 40%, with widespread reports of prisoners being recruited to fight in Ukraine, as reported by Al Jazeera Arabic. The Wagner Group and other private military companies have been actively recruiting from prisons to bolster frontline forces.
The US Senate voted unanimously Thursday to freeze senators' salaries during federal government shutdowns, according to Al Quds Al Arabi. Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana proposed the measure, which passed before a vote on keeping the government funded.