Category: 2. Middle East

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced Washington was sanctioning the United Nations special expert on the Palestinian territories, following her criticism of Washington policy on Gaza.

“Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt (International Criminal Court) action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives,” Rubio said on social media.

In a subsequent…

An Israeli military court extended the detention of seven soldiers Wednesday on suspicion of abuse, threats and sexual offenses against younger soldiers in a unit, according to a media report, Anadolu reports.

The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said the court extended the detention for six days.

Seven soldiers from the Air Force’s Arrow air defense system array were detained Tuesday on suspicion of sexual abuse of comrades.

“The offenses were committed over the…

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Wednesday imposed sanctions on a top United Nations official who has been outspoken in her criticism of Israel’s conduct in the Gaza Strip, accusing her of antisemitism and support for terrorism.

Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories since 2022, is the latest UN official to come under fire from the administration for alleged bias against Israel and the United States. Last month, the administration…

The administration of the International Festival of Carthage in Tunisia cancelled on Wednesday a concert by French singer Helene Segara over her support for Israel, Anadolu reports.

Tunisian activists launched a campaign on social media demanding that the concert be cancelled because of Segara’s support for Tel Aviv.

The activists called on the festival’s administration to withdraw the concert, describing it as a “national duty” in light of what they…

The UN said Wednesday it “firmly” opposes any forced displacement of Palestinians, following remarks by an Israeli official who proposed the relocation of the population of the Gaza Strip to a so-called “humanitarian city” on the ruins of Rafah, Anadolu reports.

“It’s not the first time we’ve heard of such projects. We firmly stand against any forced displacement of people that would only increase risks to themselves,” spokesperson Stephane…

Benjamin Netanyahu might have expected better headlines on Wednesday from his high-profile talks with Donald Trump in Washington, as the US president pushes for an end to the Gaza war.

But instead of plaudits, the Israeli prime minister faced mounting pressure to quickly wrap up the conflict back home, after five soldiers were killed in an ambush this week in the embattled Palestinian territory.

Monday night’s losses came as Netanyahu was on an official visit to the United States to discuss a…

The Jordanian government announced legal actions on Wednesday against organizations suspected of working with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, escalating its crackdown against the Islamist group after banning it in April.

What happened: The official Petra news agency reported that measures were taken against several entities in the country on suspicion of operating under the “influence” of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Companies Control Department referred the Forum for the Training and…

Future Fund Oman, a fund owned by the country’s sovereign wealth fund, the Oman Investment Authority, and Hong Kong-based alternative asset manager Templewater have established a clean energy fund worth $200 million.

The Energy Transition Fund, the first of its kind in Oman, will have an initial capital base of $200 million, including two $100 million commitments from FFO and Templewater. 

The fund will focus on renewable energy and its storage as well as clean molecules, e-fuels, green…

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday reaffirmed his support for Israel’s military strikes against Iran, despite concerns from legal scholars about whether these actions comply with international law.

“I have no doubt about the legitimacy and legality under international law of what Israel has done,” Merz told lawmakers during a parliamentary Q&A session, arguing that multiple legal interpretations support Israel’s position.

“Stating that it was…

Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels claimed responsibility Wednesday for a deadly attack that sank a merchant vessel earlier this week, their second attack on Red Sea shipping in 24 hours as they resumed their campaign in the key waterway.

The Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, was badly damaged in the attack that started on Monday and continued into Tuesday, before the ship sank.

Yemen’s rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, which came a day after they boarded and sank the…