Israeli settlers escalate attacks in Masafer Yatta under army protection – Middle East Monitor

US President Donald Trump stated that he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show compassion towards the residents of the besieged Gaza Strip during a recent phone call, emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid amid ongoing suffering. The World Food Program reported a dire situation in Gaza, with all food stocks depleted and warnings of severe shortages of essential supplies, including food and medicine, due to border closures since March 2. Trump confirmed that...

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting ActBlue, the Democratic Party's primary online fundraising platform, to investigate allegations of foreign contributions and illegal "straw" donations. ActBlue refuted the claims, asserting compliance with laws and maintaining a secure donation process, while Republican Congressman Bryan Steil expressed that recent changes to verify donations were insufficient. Democrats criticized the executive order as a political maneuver intended to undermine their fundraising efforts ahead of the upcoming midterm...

SummaryIsraeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and army chief Eyal Zamir met with US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Michael Kurilla to discuss security and regional issues, emphasizing the strengthening of the Israel-US strategic alliance. The meeting occurs amid rising tensions from Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in over 51,400 fatalities since October 2023, as well as ongoing ceasefire violations with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Additionally, the US has intensified airstrikes against Houthi targets...

Moscow and Tehran have agreed on a deal for the annual supply of 55 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Russian gas, with prices still to be determined, and Russia will also finance the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Iran. This agreement occurred as the U.S. aims to isolate Iran over its nuclear inspections, while both countries strengthen ties amid Western sanctions. Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad, during his visit to Moscow, also...

Iraq has dispatched a delegation to Damascus to explore the potential restoration of an oil pipeline that would transport Iraqi oil through Syria to Mediterranean ports. The delegation, led by the head of Iraq's National Intelligence Service, will also address counter-terrorism cooperation, border security, and trade expansion between the two nations. This visit follows a recent meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Syria's President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Qatar, marking a significant diplomatic...

Hezbollah severs outstretched handNidaz Al Watan, Lebanon, April 17Hezbollah's approach to dialogue and reconciliation is rooted in a strategy of domination and suppression, dismissing any overtures as conspiracies to be crushed. Amidst Lebanon's political turmoil, President Joseph Aoun's attempts to address the illegal arms issue are met with threats from Hezbollah, which views dissent as treachery. Unless the Lebanese populace rejects Hezbollah's doctrine of sabotage, the state will remain trapped in a cycle of...