Lebanon holds local elections in south amid ongoing Israeli attacks, ceasefire violations – Middle East Monitor

One Palestinian civilian, Rateb Jawda, was killed, and at least 20 others injured when Israeli forces opened fire on people seeking food aid near US-run distribution points in Gaza. Thousands flocked to a distribution center in Rafah, only to find it had minimal supplies, leading to chaos as they began to leave. Eyewitnesses reported that some civilians disappeared amidst the shooting, raising concerns about the treatment of those seeking aid. Full Article

Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for two bomb attacks on the newly established Syrian government, marking its first assault since the government took power in December. The attacks reportedly resulted in casualties among government soldiers and a member of the US-backed Free Syrian Army in Sweida province. Additionally, the Syrian government has conducted raids to arrest ISIS operatives but has not acknowledged the attacks, while concerns about ISIS's resurgence and its threats to the...

In a move condemned by humanitarian organizations, Israel has initiated a controversial aid distribution system in Gaza, outsourcing food supplies to foreign security firms after UN and Palestinian institutions rejected it as a militarized starvation tactic. The US contractor Safe Reach Solutions (SRS) has partnered with a little-known Palestinian company, "Three Brothers," to manage aid hubs, leading to chaos during the launch due to overwhelming demand amid severe starvation conditions. Human rights groups warn this...

The United Nations condemned a group of armed individuals for looting medical supplies from warehouses in Gaza, specifically targeting a field hospital in Deir al-Balah. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric noted that this incident, which involved organized armed men, was distinct from previous looting by desperate civilians seeking aid. With ongoing military offensives by Israel, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened, with the UN warning that the entire population is at risk of famine, and...

Western powers are set to urge the UN nuclear watchdog's board to declare Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations, a move that could further complicate US-Iran negotiations on nuclear restrictions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to issue a comprehensive report highlighting Iran's lack of cooperation, which will prompt the US and its allies to draft a resolution declaring Iran's non-compliance. This situation echoes past tensions, with potential implications for Iran's nuclear...

OPEC+ is considering a potential increase in oil output for July, possibly exceeding the 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) hikes made for May and June. Eight member countries have been increasing their production faster than planned, influenced by Kazakhstan's refusal to cut output, which may lead to discussions for a larger increase. Despite recent price fluctuations, OPEC+ aims to balance the market while managing rising demand, as it has gradually increased production since April to...