Middle East Eye

Hezbollah faced severe setbacks in late 2024, including the destruction of its headquarters, deaths of key leaders like Hassan Nasrallah, and compromised communication systems. Despite these challenges, the group regrouped using in-person coordination and launched a strategic revival, adapting tactics such as repurposing rocket technology and leveraging unexpected support from gamers to counter Israeli threats.

US Secretary Marco Rubio stated there has been progress in negotiations with Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, though finality has not yet been achieved.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem criticized Lebanese President Joseph Aoun for direct negotiations with Israel, calling him 'biased and divisive.' Qassem also stated there is no objection to a public meeting between Hezbollah and the Syrian leadership.

The US Supreme Court refused to freeze a $656m judgment against the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for compensating American victims of attacks during the Second Intifada. The PA and PLO claim the payout would destabilize their governance in the occupied West Bank, calling it collective punishment against ordinary Palestinians.

Gaza families buried 112 members of two clans killed in Israeli air strikes in November 2023, after their remains were recovered from rubble nearly three years later. Relatives expressed mixed emotions of relief and renewed grief during the burial in Gaza City on August 4, 2026.

Israeli settlers attacked homes and burned three vehicles in the Palestinian villages of Talfit and Jalud in southern Nablus, West Bank, according to local reports. The incident occurred on Tuesday.

Barry Malone argues in a Middle East Eye column that Western media ignores Israel's violations of ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon. He criticizes the lack of media coverage labeling the Masri household massacre as a ceasefire violation, despite Israel's claims of targeting Hamas members.

Congressman Randy Fine suggests Americans should accept higher fuel costs until the US wins its war with Iran, citing the risk of a nuclear attack in major cities.

Israeli forces destroyed three main water wells in Ras al-Ahmar, a northern Jordan Valley community in the occupied West Bank, leaving Palestinian residents without reliable water access for families, crops, and livestock. Local farmer Ali Bani Odeh highlighted the critical role of water in sustaining livelihoods in the region.

Fatima Nofal lost three sons in an Israeli air strike in 2023 and later gave birth to a son, Zaid, who was killed in another Israeli strike in central Gaza on 20 July 2026. The attacks occurred in al-Bureij refugee camp, where her family had sought safety after fleeing earlier conflicts.

Hamas has stated it will disarm Palestinian factions in Gaza if Israel and Washington honor commitments from a previous ceasefire. An unpublished 15-point agreement, referenced by Trump but unacknowledged by Israel, would place weapons under a transitional Palestinian authority.

Over 1,500 cases involving individuals charged with terrorism in connection with Palestine Action protests were listed for hearings at a London court in one day, causing chaos due to conflicting court notices and postponed trials. The Supreme Court ruled that Palestine Action can challenge its 2025 ban, which has led to thousands of arrests.

Reports of explosions at Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air Base were unverified by Middle East Eye. Jordan's army stated five missiles from Iran were detected, intercepted, and shot down.

Ahmet Davutoglu announced the dissolution of his Future Party and withdrawal from party politics, citing a 'dirty political climate.' The party struggled to challenge the ruling AKP, securing only 0.11 percent of the vote in 2024 local elections and four parliamentary seats after initial success in 2023.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House as 'excellent' and highlighted discussions about a 'full partnership' and shared goals regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Netanyahu's quiet visit to Washington coincided with Trump's regional diplomacy efforts and followed the death of Lindsey Graham, with the meeting highlighting Trump's frustration. Netanyahu seeks Trump's endorsement for an upcoming critical election, emphasizing the US-Israeli relationship's importance.

The UK government under Andy Burnham claims to follow a policy of refusing to engage with the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), inherited from previous administrations. However, no written records of the policy exist, and government departments deny holding information on it. The MCB, representing over 500 British Muslim organizations, is reportedly boycotted despite the UK experiencing frequent mosque attacks.

The UK's Burnham government claims to follow a 'non-engagement' policy with the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), but no written records or responsible departments for this policy exist. Government departments, including the Cabinet Office and Home Office, state they hold no information on the policy, which is described as 'a phantom.' The MCB remains the largest umbrella body for British Muslim organizations despite the alleged boycott.

Gaza families are enduring extreme summer heat in makeshift tents amid ongoing Israeli siege conditions, leading to severe health risks. Displaced residents, including widow Rajaa Jendiya, face suffocating temperatures, skin diseases, and scarce resources, with Unicef reporting 1.9 million of Gaza's 2.1 million residents remain displaced.

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank report escalating Israeli military raids and settler violence, with a recent settler raid in Tal village resulting in four Palestinian deaths and two Israeli fatalities. Israeli forces have since intensified raids on the village, detaining at least 60 Palestinians.

Blasts were reportedly heard in Erbil, northern Iraq, with the nature of the explosions remaining unknown. Middle East Eye could not verify the reports.

The UK government informed Karim Khan it would not support him as International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor before member states voted to remove him over sexual misconduct claims. Despite being cleared by an ICC panel, 82 of 125 member states voted in a secret ballot to dismiss him.

Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Sarra near Nablus, burning homes, damaging property, and assaulting residents. Several families fled as attackers used stones and Molotov cocktails, with Israeli soldiers observing without intervening. The assault followed recent settler violence in the region.

Houthi media claims Saudi forces struck telecom facilities in Yemen's Hodeidah and Kamaran Island, as reported by Al-Masirah TV. Middle East Eye previously reported strikes on Hodeidah port. The attacks were described as part of a Saudi air campaign targeting telecommunications infrastructure.

Loud blasts and air raid sirens were reported in Jordan's capital, Amman. The incidents involved unverified reports of explosions, according to Middle East Eye.

A US attack on Iran’s Shalamcheh border crossing with Iraq killed at least two people and wounded 11 others. The strike is part of a 12th consecutive night of US assaults targeting sites across Iran, with additional attacks reported in Bushehr, Ahvaz, and Andimeshk.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated the Iran war has cost the United States $37.5 billion, an increase from a previous estimate of nearly $29 billion in mid-May. The update was shared via a tweet from Middle East Eye.

Iran's military claims its naval air defence systems destroyed a US-made Lucas drone. The Iranian IRNA news agency published a photo of the alleged damaged drone, but the claim could not be independently verified by Middle East Eye. The Lucas is noted as the US version of the low-cost Shahed one-way attack drone.

US strikes have damaged bridges and civilian infrastructure in southern Iran, as tensions escalate over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media broadcast footage of the damage, while Iran retaliated by attacking a water desalination plant in Kuwait.

Iraq and Syria signed a deal to rehabilitate the Kirkuk-Baniyas oil pipeline, aiming to bypass the Strait of Hormuz as part of a US-brokered agreement. The US ambassador to Turkey and Syria envoy, Tom Barrack, led efforts, with initial reporting by Middle East Eye followed by major international news outlets.

Trump is open to diplomacy with Iran, as stated by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, amid escalating tensions in the region.

US President Donald Trump stated that Iran 'wants to settle so badly' and that he would decide whether to proceed with that step. The comment was shared in a tweet by Middle East Eye.

Jeremy Corbyn accused Keir Starmer of falsely claiming the Labour Party was 'institutionally antisemitic' under his leadership. Corbyn denied such a finding existed, citing the EHRC report which identified antisemitism issues but did not label Labour as institutionally antisemitic.

Cross-party MPs have demanded an independent investigation into the British Museum's removal of terms like 'Palestine' and 'Palestinian' from displays, alleging political interference due to lobbying by pro-Israel activists. The call follows a Middle East Eye investigation revealing the museum's actions in response to such pressure, with MPs accusing the museum of anti-Palestinian racism.

Lebanon's Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri states the US-brokered Israel-Lebanon framework lacks government approval and is not a binding agreement. The framework, signed in June 2026, faces opposition in Lebanon over sovereignty concerns and unmet demands, including Israel's full withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory.

Cross-party MPs demand an independent investigation into the British Museum’s removal of terms like 'Palestine' and 'Israelite occupation' from displays, citing a Middle East Eye investigation linking the changes to pro-Israel lobbying in late 2024. The museum defended the alterations as based on 'audience testing,' but no records of such testing exist, according to internal emails and freedom of information responses.

US President Donald Trump announced the US will replace a 20 percent levy on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz with trade and investment deals with Gulf states. Trump stated the Gulf states will invest significantly in the United States.

Saudi Arabia granted royal amnesties to nearly 2,000 detained Ethiopian nationals, with Ethiopia facilitating the repatriation of 1,971 citizens. The amnesties follow reports of Ethiopians held on death row in Saudi Arabia for minor drug charges, including possession of khat.

A British surgeon, Ranjeet Brar, is challenging the NHS's use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, claiming it led to his suspension after a pro-Palestine speech. Brar argues the definition unlawfully restricts political expression, with the NHS citing concerns his remarks could be interpreted as antisemitic.

The US Central Command released footage after completing a new wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday. This follows attacks on Iran for the third consecutive night, as reported by Middle East Eye.