UNRWA slams Israeli ban on international journalists reporting on Gaza, calls to allow it to work – Middle East Monitor

SummaryShipping traffic has remained below pre-conflict levels, with only 20-23 ships daily reported in August 2023, compared to an average of 72-75 ships before the Houthis began their attacks in the Red Sea in November 2023. These attacks were part of a larger response in support of Palestinians amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. The situation highlights the impact of regional tensions on maritime activities, affecting global shipping routes and trade dynamics. Full Article

Iranian intelligence has reportedly acquired a significant cache of sensitive strategic documents from Israel, including information on the country's nuclear facilities and military projects, according to Iranian state media. The documents were obtained some time ago but were kept secret due to the complexities involved in securely transferring them to Iran, where they are now stored in designated secure sites. The volume of the documents is extensive, making it a lengthy process to review, and...

Syria announced the closure of the Rukban camp for displaced people, marking the end of a significant humanitarian crisis, according to Emergency and Disaster Management Minister Raed al-Saleh. The camp, located in a demilitarized zone on the Syria-Jordan border, had housed thousands of Syrians awaiting entry into Jordan after the collapse of the Assad regime in December. Following this political shift, families began returning to their homes, with al-Saleh expressing hope that this closure will...

Even wars have rulesThe Geneva Conventions establish legal requirements to protect civilians during warfare, which both sides are obligated to follow, despite Israel's brutal surprise attack on 7 October 2023. Journalists face significant barriers in Gaza, where Israel controls information flow, complicating efforts to assess war impacts and violations of international law. Prime Minister Netanyahu may be prolonging the conflict for political gain, amid accusations of war crimes and a potential genocide case pending at...

At least 54,772 Palestinians have died in Israel's ongoing conflict since October 2023, according to the Health Ministry, with 95 bodies recovered and 304 people injured in the last 48 hours alone. The Israeli military resumed its attacks on Gaza on March 18, resulting in 4,497 deaths and 13,793 injuries, violating a previous ceasefire agreement. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials for war crimes, while Israel faces a genocide case...

Israeli authorities reported the recovery of Thai citizen Natfong Pinta's body from the Gaza Strip, stating he was killed while held captive in Rafah. Israel claims 59 captives remain in Gaza, with 24 believed alive, while approximately 10,000 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israel under severe conditions. Since October 2023, Israel has conducted a military offensive in Gaza, resulting in nearly 54,700 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children, amid international scrutiny and allegations of war crimes...