Turkish foreign minister discusses Gaza with Qatari, Jordanian counterparts

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and broader regional developments with his counterparts from Qatar and Jordan during separate phone calls on Wednesday, according to diplomatic sources, as Türkiye steps up efforts to coordinate an international response.

Türkiye, Lebanon explore expanded oil, gas cooperation

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Türkiye stands ready to share its energy sector experience and capabilities with Lebanon, as he hosted Lebanese counterpart Joseph Saddi in Istanbul for comprehensive talks on strengthening regional electricity, oil and natural gas interconnections and developing joint projects.

Trump says US fighting Iran to protect Israel, West

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is confronting Tehran to shield Israel, the Middle East and Western nations from potential aggression, adding that Iran would target Europe and American cities after destroying the Jewish state if left unchecked.

Israel opens third illegal settlement in occupied West Bank

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attended the inauguration of Maaleh Arugot in the Gush Etzion bloc on Wednesday, describing the project as part of a "settlement revolution" aimed at blocking Palestinian statehood and disrupting territorial continuity between Bethlehem and Hebron.

Trump mulls declaring Iran war over as Pentagon extends deployments

US President Donald Trump has privately discussed ending the war with Iran with senior aides, believing economic pressure will force Tehran to capitulate, even as the Pentagon extends troop deployments in the Middle East to maintain operational flexibility, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Critics slam Volkswagen plan to produce arms with Israel's Rafael

Thorben Peters of Lower Saxony's Left Party said converting the Osnabruck plant to military production with Israel's Rafael cannot solve the automotive crisis, warning that public funds must not support arms ventures while the Gaza war raises human rights concerns.

Iran nets over $1B in oil revenues in 11 days: Report

Iran generated more than $1 billion in oil revenues during an 11-day period this month, according to official data released Thursday, as Tehran seeks to fortify foreign exchange reserves while Washington escalates economic pressure through new sanctions campaigns.

Israeli forces arrest 21 Palestinians, including journalist, in West Bank

The Prisoners Media Office said Israeli forces detained 21 Palestinians during early morning raids across the occupied West Bank on Thursday, including a journalist in Hebron and a father with his two sons in Bethlehem, amid mounting criticism of arrest campaigns.

Trump says US ready to strike Iran 'any time we want'

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is prepared to launch fresh attacks against Iranian military assets "any time we want," claiming American forces destroyed newly built radar and missile systems along the Strait of Hormuz in heavy overnight strikes.

Iran seizes foreign barge with 382,000 liters of diesel

Iranian security forces seized a foreign barge carrying approximately 382,000 liters of smuggled diesel fuel in Gulf waters on Wednesday, detaining 11 foreign nationals aboard the vessel while the country's border guards launched a formal investigation into the alleged cross-border petroleum smuggling operation.

Airstrike hits WFP trucks in Sudan, destroying food aid for 5,800

The World Food Programme said two of its clearly marked trucks were destroyed in an aerial attack near Dilling in South Kordofan state while transporting food assistance for 5,800 civilians, adding that it has recorded eight such attacks on its premises since the beginning of the year.

Trump says Venezuela 'not ready yet' to hold elections

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Venezuela is "not ready yet" to hold elections, arguing that the country requires more time to transition from dictatorship following the US military operation that captured former leader Nicolas Maduro in early January.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine finalizing 'Drone Deal' with Germany

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that his country is finalizing the text of a comprehensive defense agreement with Berlin, adding that the "Drone Deal" will provide both nations with additional military capabilities following discussions about last month's incident at Leipzig Airport.

IOM says over 1,600 displaced in Yemen's Taiz in one week

The UN's International Organization for Migration said Wednesday it recorded the displacement of over 1,600 people in Yemen's Taiz province within one week, as clashes between government forces and Houthi rebels intensified in the southwestern region.

UN says Israel leaves 1M Gazans with reduced water for second day

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Israel has left approximately one million Palestinians in Gaza with reduced water supplies for a second consecutive day, warning that the organization remains deeply concerned over the safety of civilians in both the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank amid continued military escalation.

Palestine accuses Israel of stealing artifacts from Sebastia site

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday accused Israel of stealing artifacts from the ancient Sebastia archaeological site in the occupied West Bank, warning that ongoing excavation work and the installation of "Samaria Park" signage represent an attempt to erase the location's historical Palestinian identity.

Israeli bid for Syria security deal fails over buffer zone dispute

A senior Israeli diplomatic official told The Jerusalem Post that efforts to secure a security agreement with Syria have collapsed over Tel Aviv's refusal to withdraw from the occupied buffer zone, which Jerusalem considers a vital security asset, though diplomatic channels between the neighbors remain active.

Palestinian churches urge action to save Jerusalem schools

The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine on Wednesday called on churches worldwide to intervene after Israeli authorities barred West Bank teachers from entering occupied East Jerusalem, forcing Christian schools to declare an open-ended strike that threatens the upcoming academic year.

Israel displaces 66th Palestinian village since October 2023: B'Tselem

Israeli rights group B'Tselem said on Wednesday that Israeli forces demolished the village of Khirbet al-Taban in the southern occupied West Bank, displacing roughly 70 residents including 28 children and bringing to 66 the number of Palestinian villages completely emptied since October 2023.

Germany approves $930M arms exports to Israel

Germany approved nearly €800 million in military equipment exports to Israel during the first six months of the year, according to local media reports on Wednesday, as arms sales surged fourfold following the removal of export restrictions by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government.

US must fulfill commitments before Hormuz reopening: Iranian speaker

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Wednesday that Washington must implement its obligations under the Islamabad memorandum before Tehran lifts restrictions on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, stressing that diplomacy remains a tool in Iran's broader struggle.

Iran says US strike killed dozens at wedding, cites 'war crimes'

The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned late Tuesday's US military strikes on civilian infrastructure as 'war crimes,' reporting that more than 70 people were killed or wounded at a wedding ceremony alone, and called on the UN Security Council to respond to what it described as flagrant violations of international law.

55,000 urge new UK premier to hold Israel accountable for Gaza genocide

Pro-Palestine groups on Wednesday delivered a petition signed by more than 55,000 people to new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging his government to hold Israel accountable for the ongoing genocide in Gaza and uphold international law regarding Palestinian rights, according to footage shared on social media.

Lebanese army rejects Israeli reports on officer opposition to withdrawal

The Lebanese military on Wednesday dismissed Israeli media reports claiming its officers oppose a withdrawal from southern Lebanon over fears of Hezbollah's return, warning that such fabricated allegations form part of a campaign to undermine the institution and sow public doubt during a highly sensitive period.

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