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Following 200+ Israeli ceasefire violations, Hezbollah retaliates

Al Mayadeen | April 21, 2026

The Islamic Resistance announced that it carried out a combined rocket and drone strike targeting an Israeli army artillery position in the Kfar Giladi settlement at 18:50 local time on April 21, 2026.

According to the statement, the position was identified as the source of recent artillery fire targeting the town of Yohmor al-Shqif in southern Lebanon.

The group said the operation was conducted using rockets and a swarm of one-way attack drones, and emphasized that the operation came in response to repeated Israeli violations following the ceasefire.

It added that more than 200 such violations have been recorded since the ceasefire came into effect, including strikes on civilians and the destruction of homes and villages in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah asserted that the operation is “in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the flagrant and documented violations committed by the Israeli enemy, which have exceeded 200 since the ceasefire went into effect, including attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages in southern Lebanon, and based on the right to resist and rout the occupation.” … Full article

How A Fake Iranian Terror Group Was Invented To Proscribe IRGC in Europe

The story of Ashab al-Yamin

By David Miller | Tracking Power update | April 21, 2026

Now that several more “attacks” have been credited to this fake group, here is my investigation on the topic.

A series of arson attacks and alleged incidents targeting alleged Jewish-linked sites across Europe have been attributed to a little-known group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), or Ashab al-Yamin. The group has been widely described in media and security circles as an Iran-backed network, allegedly linked to the IRGC. … continue

Iran’s judiciary rejects Trump’s claim on ‘planned execution’ of 8 women

Press TV – April 21, 2026

Iran’s Judiciary has dismissed claims by US President Donald Trump that eight women are facing imminent execution in Iran.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Judiciary clarified that some of these individuals have been released, while others are facing charges that, if upheld by the court, may lead to imprisonment.

“Trump was misled once again by fake news,” the statement said.

Trump requested clemency on their behalf in a post on social media earlier in the day. … continue

X suspends Iranian accounts in bid to silence voices against US-Israeli aggression

Press TV – April 21, 2026

The social media platform X has launched a sweeping campaign to suspend accounts opposed to the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

The latest account to be suspended belongs to Ali Alizadeh, an Iranian journalist and podcaster based in the United Kingdom, who is active on X under the handle @Jedaal.

According to reports, the account was taken down without prior notice or explanation, marking the latest in a series of suspensions affecting Iranian users critical of the war.

Previously, amid the US-Israeli war against Iran, X took similar action against other Iranian voices, including social media activist Arya (@AryJeay) and international affairs commentator and TV show host Mehdi Khanalizadeh (@Khanalizadeh_IR). … Full article

Democrats turn on ‘Israel’ as party support for military aid collapses

Al Mayadeen | April 21, 2026

The political landscape around “Israel” within the Democratic Party has undergone a marked shift in recent years, with outspoken defenders of the country becoming increasingly rare, Vox reported. A growing number of Democrats are now adopting a more critical stance toward “Israel”, reflecting a broader realignment within the party.

On Wednesday, 40 of 47 Democratic senators voted to block a proposed military sale to “Israel”, a level of opposition far higher than what similar measures have typically faced in the past. The vote signaled the most striking evidence yet of the party’s rapid movement toward a more confrontational posture, a trend that both supporters and critics of “Israel” say is still evolving.

The outcome left many pro-“Israel” Democrats “shocked and disillusioned,” according to Marc Rod of Jewish Insider. These tensions were also visible in electoral politics the following day, when voters in New Jersey’s 11th District elected Analilia Mejia, a candidate known for her strong criticism of “Israel”, in a special House election. Although Mejia won comfortably, traditionally Jewish suburbs such as Livingston and Millburn swung sharply against her compared with previous presidential results, an unusual pattern in an otherwise reliably Democratic district.

“It’s disturbing for supporters of Israel who’ve long needed and counted on bipartisan support, and had it,” a Democratic operative with long-standing ties to Jewish advocacy told Vox. “It’s growing, and it’s hard to tell where it’s going to end up, but it’s not good.”

While the long-standing bipartisan consensus of unconditional support for “Israel” is clearly eroding, what comes next remains unclear. Political strategists across the Democratic spectrum are divided over whether this shift represents a temporary correction or a more fundamental realignment that could eventually push “Israel” out of the American political mainstream.

What is evident, however, is that Democratic voters themselves have changed significantly.

Back in 2022, a narrow majority, 53 percent, of Democratic voters viewed “Israel” unfavorably. Since then, the Israeli genocide in Gaza following October 7, 2023, has sharply worsened its standing in the United States. That decline in sentiment has been compounded by the renewed war on Iran under President Donald Trump, launched alongside “Israel” this year.

According to Pew Research polling conducted last month, a striking 80 percent of Democrats or Democratic-leaning adults now hold an unfavorable view of “Israel”. … Full article

The Winner at the DNC’s Latest Meeting? Israel, Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide

By Norman Solomon | Z | April 16, 2026

In the aftermath of this month’s big meeting of the Democratic National Committee in New Orleans, supporters of the U.S.-Israel alliance have been quite content.

“We’re pleased that the DNC Resolutions Committee rejected a set of divisive, anti-Israel resolutions,” the president of Democratic Majority for Israel said.

The CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, a former national security advisor to Kamala Harrisexpressed gratitude to the DNC’s leadership.

Why did pro-Israel groups voice so much pleasure and praise — not only for the sidelining of pro-human-rights resolutions but also for the process that sidelined them?

The answer has to do with the DNC’s mechanism that thwarted changes in positions on Israel. A panel named the Middle East Working Group gummed up all efforts to align the DNC with the views of most Democratic voters, even while supposedly hard at work. … continue

Proposal to suspend EU trade agreement with Israel shelved: Italy

MEMO | April 21, 2026

The Italian foreign minister said Tuesday that a proposal to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement has been shelved, adding that EU members will discuss alternatives next month, Anadolu reports. […]

“We have a different position from Spain, because theirs doesn’t seem like the right path to take. Our position is identical to Germany’s,” said the foreign minister.

It came as European countries were divided over trade ties with Israel, as Spain and Ireland pushed for the suspension, while some other countries, including Germany, had expressed opposition to the idea. – Full article

Israeli Colonizers Steal Over 12,000 Livestock Since Early 2025

IMEMC – April 21, 2026

Illegal paramilitary Israeli colonizers have sharply intensified livestock theft across the occupied West Bank, transforming what were once sporadic incidents into a coordinated, systematic campaign carried out under the protection of the Israeli army.

Testimonies from residents, video documentation by Palestinians and international activists, and reports from rights organizations all point to a consistent pattern of assault, intimidation, and property seizure.

According to figures provided to Al Jazeera by the rights group Al‑Baydar, colonizers have stolen over 12,000 head of livestock since the beginning of 2025, in addition to 1,500 more animals stolen since January 2026.

In Ein Yabrud, northeast of Ramallah, resident Mohammad Hujair has lost three horses to colonizer attacks within one year.

He shared footage showing armed colonizers seizing his white horse days earlier while he attempted to intervene. He was beaten, sustaining bruises and injuries.

Hujair said 14 colonizers stormed his home, while others invaded the village with the Israeli army, which sealed all entrances and prevented residents from reaching the area.

“They beat us without mercy and took the horse right in front of me,” he said, adding that the group also tried to steal another horse tied near the house. … Full article

Youth Killed by Settler Vehicle in Hebron, Woman Died of Previous Wounds in Jenin

IMEMC – April 21, 2026

A Palestinian child was killed on Tuesday morning, after he was struck by a settler vehicle north of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank. A woman succumbed to injuries she sustained in 2023 during the army’s aggression against the Jenin refugee camp, in the northern West Bank.

The Palestinian Health Ministry announced that the child Mohammad Majdi Ahmad Al-Ja’bari, 15, was killed on Tuesday after a settler’s vehicle struck him north of Hebron, and Mrs. Raja Fadl Bitawi, 47, succumbed to injuries she sustained in the Jenin refugee camp in 2023.

WAFA reported that the child Mohammad Majdi Ahmad Al-Ja’bari, 15, died Tuesday morning after a settler vehicle ran over him, while he was riding his bicycle to school at the Beit Einun junction near Hebron.

According to Israeli media reports, the one of the vehicles involved in the incident was part of the “Magen” unit, responsible for securing Israeli ministers and senior government officials.

Israeli Army Radio reported that the vehicle belongs to the security detail of an Israeli minister residing in an illegal colony in the Hebron governorate. … Full article

Jewish settlers raze school, seize homes after displacing Palestinian families

Palestinian Information Center – April 21, 2026

JORDAN VALLEY – A horde of extremist Jewish settlers demolished a Palestinian school and nearby homes in the al‑Malih Bedouin community in the northern Jordan Valley after storming the area with bulldozers.

Local sources reported that settlers seized citizens’ homes and raised Israeli flags over them, after previously forcing Palestinian families in the community to leave.

The school had served about 70 Palestinian students, providing elementary education from first to fourth grade.

Families in al-Malih (and nearby areas like al-Juba, Khirbet Samra) have left or been forced to abandon their homes after facing continuous attacks from Jewish settlers, including livestock thefts, physical harassment, and destruction of property.

Colonizers Attack a School Near Ramallah, Kill 2 Palestinians

IMEMC – April 21, 2026

Illegal Israeli colonizers killed two Palestinians and injured four others, on Tuesday, after attacking the Al-Mughayyir Boys’ School in Al-Mughayyir village, northeast of Ramallah in the central occupied West Bank.

In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry announced that two citizens, including a child, were killed by Israeli settlers and four others were wounded during an attack on the Al-Mughayyir Boys’ School.

The Ministry stated that the child and student Aws Hamdi Al-Naasan, 13, and the young man Jihad Marzouq Abu Naim, 35, were both killed and four others injured after being shot with live ammunition.

For its part, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that its ambulance crews transported the bodies of two slain citizens, and four others to the hospital for live gunshot wounds.

Media sources added that the father of the slain grade nine student Aws Hamdi Al-Naasan was also killed by Israeli colonizers in 2019. … Full article

Israeli army blows up school in southern Lebanon in violation of ceasefire

Press TV – April 21, 2026

‎‎The Israeli regime has demolished a public school in southern Lebanon in a new violation of a temporary ceasefire agreement with Beirut approved by US President Donald Trump.

‎The Israeli army destroyed a public school building in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam despite the 10-day ceasefire.

‎The state-run Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported on Tuesday that the Israeli forces rigged the building with explosives and detonated it overnight, completely leveling the structure.

‎‎Israeli forces also fired artillery near the town of Kunin in the Bint Jbeil district in southern Lebanon, according to another report by NNA.

‎‎A series of Israeli demolitions occurred across the south, targeting homes, buildings and other infrastructure, the report said. Israeli forces also “booby-trapped” numerous homes in the villages of Beit Lif, Shamaa, Biyyada, and Naqoura, leveling them, the report added.‎ … continue

Israel broadcaster: No criminal probe into soldier who smashed Christ statue in Lebanon

MEMO | April 21, 2026

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said on Monday that a soldier who smashed a statue of Jesus Christ in a southern Lebanese town will not face a criminal investigation, and will instead be dealt with “disciplinarily only”. … Full article

Water crisis in Gaza worsens as per capita supply falls to critical levels

Palestinian Information Center – April 21, 2026

GAZA – Gaza is facing a rapidly worsening water crisis as infrastructure destruction and mass displacement sharply reduce access to safe water, leaving residents struggling daily to secure minimal supplies.

According to field reports, dozens of displaced Palestinians queue for hours at water trucks in central Gaza, filling small containers and carrying them back to tents in a repeated effort to meet basic needs. […]

The crisis has been driven by the destruction of most water wells and infrastructure. Gaza’s water system, which once supplied around 100,000 cubic meters daily, has dropped to just 35,000 cubic meters, according to local officials. … Full article

The desalination front: Water as Israel’s Achilles heel

The Cradle | April 21, 2026

Israel’s near-total dependence on seawater desalination to secure almost 80 percent of its drinking water and industrial needs has created a security vulnerability unlike that of the Persian Gulf states.

While Gulf desalination facilities are spread across wide geographic areas, Israel’s production capacity is concentrated along a narrow stretch of coastline. That concentration leaves Israel’s water system vulnerable to paralysis through concentrated missile barrages or suicide drone attacks from multiple fronts – a danger that exceeds the ability of conventional air defenses to fully contain.

The longer the confrontation with Iran drags on, the more these facilities are transformed from civilian infrastructure into strategic targets. Israel’s five main desalination plants have become central nodes in Tehran’s target bank, placing domestic stability and regional water commitments under the threat of broad disruption. … continue

Washington cuts flow of US dollars to Iraqi central bank until ‘acceptable’ government formed

The Cradle | April 21, 2026

The US has suspended all funding and security coordination with Iraq, and shipments of dollars the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), until a new Baghdad government acceptable to Washington is formed, Al-Hadath reported on 20 April.

The US is also conditioning continued security cooperation on the disclosure of those involved in the bombing of its embassy, the Saudi news channel added.

Nevertheless, on Monday, the CBI released a statement rejecting the Al-Hadath report.

Since 2003, a decision issued by Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) head Paul Bremer has required that all Iraqi oil revenues be paid into an account at the US Federal Reserve Bank of New York, giving the US the ability to control how many US dollars are returned to the CBI.

From that point until today, the Iraqi Ministry of Finance has had to submit funding requests to the US Treasury, which then approves or denies them based on its own criteria.

This monthly transfer of US dollars, flown into Baghdad in pallets of hard cash, determines Iraq’s ability to pay for basic needs such as salaries, food, and medicine. … continue

Iran announces new Hormuz restrictions after US ceasefire violations

Al Mayadeen | April 21, 2026

Iran has announced sweeping restrictions on maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz following violations of the ceasefire by the United States, Tasnim News Agency reported.

The report stated that all established maritime channels for entry and exit through the Strait have been closed, effectively halting normal transit in one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes.

Iranian authorities have instead introduced a newly designed waterway that will allow limited and closely monitored passage for commercial vessels, signaling a controlled approach to maritime navigation under heightened tensions.

Tehran has also declared that no vessel will be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz until guarantees are provided, ensuring the full lifting of the maritime blockade imposed on Iran.

Additionally, the Strait will remain under strict surveillance by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Navy, with an explicit ban on the transit of any military vessels, further escalating security measures in the region. … continue

Is Trump Going for Armageddon?

By Larry C. Johnson | SONAR21 | April 21, 2026 

Pakistan is trying desperately to hold a new round of talks in Islamabad between the US and Iran. After conflicting statements from the Trump administration, it appears that JD Vance, accompanied by his Zionist watchers — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — are headed back to Islamabad. As of 22:20 hours eastern, Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said there will be no negotiations while the US blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect, stating that they are prepared to demonstrate new cards on the battlefield. … continue

‘War crime’: Russian envoy denounces US-Israeli war on Iran from Tehran rubble

RT | April 21, 2026

The US and Israel have committed war crimes in Iran, Russian Ambassador to Tehran Aleksey Dedov has declared while inspecting the ruins of a hospital in the Iranian capital destroyed in the strikes.

The diplomat made the remarks to RT on Monday during a visit to damaged residential areas alongside a group of foreign ambassadors.

According to RT correspondent Saman Kojouri, the hospital was hit without prior warning while patients and staff were inside. It was not immediately clear how many people were injured.

“It’s a horrible thing to see,” Dedov said, assessing the damage to civilian medical infrastructure. “This is evidence of an inhumane approach by Israel and the US… it’s very clearly a war crime.”

The visit was organized so that foreign diplomats could witness the aftermath firsthand, Tehran Province Governor Mohammad-Sadegh Motamedian said, adding that it was intended to draw attention to what he described as Western “silence” over the actions of the US and Israel. … Video report

China blames US for diplomatic impasse with Iran, urges it to show ‘sincerity’ in talks

Press TV – April 21, 2026

China has called on the United States to demonstrate “sincerity” in resolving its prolonged standoff with Iran over its nuclear program, while censuring the joint US-Israeli military aggression against the country.

In its latest Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) report, Beijing said that Washington is responsible for the current diplomatic impasse with Tehran.

The national report on the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was made public online by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

According to the report, the US and Israel’s military aggression against Iran, both in June 2025 and on February 28, “seriously violated international law and the purposes of the UN Charter.” … continue

After Islamabad: How the Global South Is Reshaping Eurasian Geopolitics

By Abbas Hashemite – New Eastern Outlook – April 21, 2026

The developments surrounding the “Islamabad Talks” underscore a broader geopolitical realignment in which Pakistan, China, and other regional powers are deepening their strategic and economic integration, accelerating the rise of a Global South-led order while exposing the waning influence of the US and its traditional allies. … continue

Xi’s Taiwan Masterstroke: Beijing’s Peace Offensive Reshapes the Strait

By Adrian Korczyński – New Eastern Outlook – April 21, 2026

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Taiwanese Kuomintang Party leader Cheng Li-wun met in Beijing. This visit could mark a turning point in China’s relations with the island and ease tensions between them. […]

This meeting is no isolated event — it forms part of a broader structural shift in the emerging multipolar order.

In today’s world, influence flows not only from military alliances or sanctions, but from strategic patience, economic interdependence, and direct political engagement. By bypassing Washington’s intermediaries and speaking directly to forces within Taiwan, Beijing demonstrates that the future of the Strait will be decided by the Chinese people themselves — not dictated from distant capitals.

The message is unmistakable: external interference is increasingly irrelevant as internal convergence accelerates. … Read full article

Chinese envoy firmly rejects US allegations at UN Security Council emergency briefing on Ukraine

Global Times | April 21, 2026

At a UN Security Council emergency briefing on Ukraine on Monday afternoon local time, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Sun Lei firmly rejected the US representative’s repetition of old narratives and dissemination of false allegations, the China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday.

Sun clearly pointed out that any attempt to shift responsibility to China or to attack and smear China on the Ukraine issue is irresponsible and will not succeed, according to the CCTV report.

In fact, since the outbreak of the crisis, it has been the US – not China – that has long provided weapons to the battlefield and attempted to prolong the war, the Chinese envoy said.

China once again urges the US side to stop shifting blame and passing the buck, and to play a more constructive role in achieving a ceasefire, ending the war, and promoting peace talks, Sun said, according to CCTV.

Japan makes major shift from pacificism policy

RT | April 21, 2026

Japan has lifted restrictions on lethal arms sales, ending a ban on military exports imposed under the country’s pacifist constitution in 1947.

The move was announced on Tuesday by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a hardline conservative who had long advocated revising Japan’s pacifist constitution and further beefing up the country’s offensive military capabilities. […]

Japanese companies will now be able to sell arms to 17 countries with which Tokyo has defensive equipment and technology transfer agreements, including the US, the UK, Australia, and multiple Southeast Asian nations. […]

While the easing of the arms sales restrictions has been touted by Takaichi as a major achievement, the latest step towards full re-militarization is consistent with the decisions made by the previous Japanese governments. In late 2023, Tokyo performed the first overseas lethal arms sale since 1947, supplying domestically produced missiles for US-made Patriot anti-aircraft systems to Washington. The munitions are manufactured by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under license from US defense contractors Lockheed Martin and RTX. … Full article

Veterans protest in Congress against war on Iran, Lebanon, Palestine

Al Mayadeen | April 20, 2026

Veterans and military families began an act of civil disobedience descrbed as the “largest” since the war on Iraq began, occupying the Cannon Building Rotunda.

The demonstrators were protesting yet “another forever war with Iran, which includes the genocide in Palestine, the ethnic cleansing in southern Lebanon, and the potential ground operation in Cuba,” Greg Stoker, veteran running for Congress in TX 31, stated.

Around 60 US military veterans were arrested after staging the protest inside the Cannon House Office Building, opposing the ongoing US war on Iran and calling for an end to military funding.

The action was organized by About Face: Veterans Against the War, a group founded during the invasion of Iraq by former service members who opposed the war. … Full article

Berlin police brutally crack down on pro-Palestine solidarity protests

Al Mayadeen | April 20, 2026

Berlin police detained several people during pro-Palestine demonstrations over the weekend, amid a brutal crackdown in parts of the city, including Neukölln, according to footage widely shared on social media.

Videos circulating online show officers making arrests during the gatherings, with some accounts indicating that women and individuals described by witnesses as minors were among those detained. The protests were held in solidarity with Gaza and Lebanon.

Organizers and supporters of the demonstrations said the police response was excessive and targeted peaceful assemblies.

The incidents come amid continuing tensions in Germany surrounding pro-Palestine demonstrations, many of which have faced increased restrictions since October 2023.

Authorities have not yet issued an official statement detailing the number of arrests or reporting any injuries linked to the brutal police crackdown. … Full article

Hamas dismisses US-backed disarmament plan as ‘collective suicide’

The Cradle | April 20, 2026

Hamas has rejected a US-backed proposal to disarm, describing it as a “trap” that risks igniting internal war in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials who spoke with Middle East Eye (MEE).

The plan was presented earlier this month in Cairo by Gaza Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov, with US officials present, as part of ongoing ceasefire talks that have stalled due to Israeli violations and unmet obligations.

Palestinian sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations said Hamas believes the proposal is designed to “ignite civil war in the Gaza Strip and destabilize Palestinian society.”

A Gaza-based source told MEE, “Hamas completely rejects this,” adding that within the Qassam Brigades, disarmament is viewed as “collective suicide.”

The resistance movement argues that surrendering weapons would leave Palestinians exposed, especially as “Israeli-backed armed gangs” continue to operate. … continue

Palestinian killed, others injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza

Palestinian Information Center – April 20, 2026

GAZA – A Palestinian civilian was martyred and several others were injured in Israeli attacks in different areas of the Gaza Strip on Monday, amid ceasefire violations persisting for the 193rd consecutive day.

According to Palestinian media sources, a citizen identified as Anas Safi was killed in an Israeli airstrike on al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.

Several others were also injured as a result of Israeli attacks in separate areas of Gaza.

Medical sources said a number of wounded were brought to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital after an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of people near the Dawla junction in Gaza City’s az-Zeitoun neighborhood.

Other civilians sustained injuries when Israeli armored vehicles opened fire towards tents sheltering displaced families in the al-Mawasi area of Rafah, south of the Strip.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Information Center reporter said that a number of people were wounded in an Israeli airstrike at the Abu Hamid rotary in Khan Yunis.

Several civilians were also injured when Israeli aircraft targeted them in the west of Gaza City, while Israeli tanks opened fire east of Khan Yunis.

Israeli Soldiers Shoot A Palestinian In Nablus

IMEMC | April 20, 2026

Israeli occupation forces invaded the city of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank’s northern part, and shot a young Palestinian man.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its crews treated a 33‑year‑old man who was hit with live ammunition in the thigh in the Rafidia area, after Israeli forces blocked medical teams from reaching him for a period of time.

Media sources said an Israeli undercover unit infiltrated Rafidia before additional military vehicles invaded the area. Soldiers opened live fire, injuring the man.

The soldiers also stormed a residential building in the al‑Makhfiyya neighborhood, searched several homes, and caused extensive damage. No abductions were reported.

The sources added that Israeli forces invaded Nablus for the second consecutive dawn, roaming through Khallet al‑Amoud, Ras al‑Ein, the eastern area, and the Old City and its surroundings, without additional home invasions or abductions.

On Sunday, illegal Israeli colonizers damaged a Palestinian ambulance and erected tents, while the army razed citizens’ land and uprooted trees, south of Nablus.

Army Destroys Water Lines East of Tammun

IMEMC | April 20, 2026

Israeli occupation forces invaded the Be’er al‑Me‘yar area east of the town of Tammun, south of Tubas in the occupied West Bank’s northeastern part, on Monday and destroyed several water transmission lines.

Motaz Bisharat, the official in charge of the Wall & Colonization Resistance Commission in the Tubas governorate, said Israeli soldiers accompanied a military bulldozer into the area and demolished the water lines that supply Palestinian communities.

Bisharat added that Israeli forces have been carrying out ongoing bulldozing operations in Palestinian‑owned lands in the area as part of a plan to carve out a colonial road approximately 22 kilometers long. … Full article

1,500 face displacement as Israel demolishes Palestinian homes in Naqab ‎

Press TV – April 20, 2026

‎Israeli forces have resumed months-long “ethnic cleansing” campaign by demolishing Palestinian homes in a Bedouin village in the Negev desert in the southern part of the occupied territories.

‎On Sunday, bulldozers, accompanied by large contingents of Israeli police and special units, stormed al-Sir village in the Naqab area and began demolishing dozens of homes.

‎The latest destruction was carried out under a heavy Israeli forces presence, with reports of force being used against residents during the demolitions.

‎The new Israeli demolitions in the occupied region have placed around 1,500 Palestinians at risk of displacement and left hundreds of families without shelter.

‎The latest demolitions follow an earlier campaign by Israel that destroyed most homes in the village in late 2025.

‎”These demolitions are a continuation of what began in December,” Jumaa Zabarqa, from the Steering Committee for Bedouin Affairs in the Naqab, said.

‎Israeli authorities destroyed around 320 out of approximately 350 homes in December across the occupied region, leaving hundreds of Palestinian families without shelter.

‎Since then, many residents have been living in harsh conditions, often in tents, unprotected from the weather and without access to basic infrastructure, including electricity and adequate services. … Full article

Jewish fundamentalists increase attempts to smuggle animals into Al-Aqsa Mosque for sacrifice

The Cradle | April 20, 2026

Jewish fundamentalists in occupied East Jerusalem have recently intensified attempts to smuggle animals for sacrifice at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, renewing fears of a desire to destroy one of Islam’s holiest sites.

According to Palestinian Authority (PA) officials responsible for the Jerusalem governorate, Jewish fundamentalists tried at least seven times to smuggle goats and sheep into the holy site for sacrifice on Sunday.

According to some interpretations of Judaism, Al-Aqsa Mosque must be destroyed and a Jewish temple (the Third Temple) built in its place to usher in the coming of the messiah.

Animals, such as an unblemished red heifer, should be sacrificed to purify the site before the temple is built. … Full article

Polish FM urges accountability for Israel’s religious crimes, human rights abuses

The Cradle | April 20, 2026

On April 20, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski called for “accountability” for the multitude of war crimes and human rights abuses committed by Israeli soldiers, citing their actions against Palestinian civilians, in remarks posted on social media.

“Israeli soldiers themselves admit to war crimes. They killed not only Palestinian civilians but even their own hostages,” Sikorski said.

He added that it was “good that [Israeli Foreign] Minister [Gideon] Saar quickly apologized” after an Israeli soldier desecrated a crucifix of Jesus Christ in a southern Lebanese village under occupation, stressing that “there was something to apologize for.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “We apologize for this incident and to every Christian whose feelings were hurt.”

Sikorski emphasized that the soldier should face punishment and highlighted the need for broader lessons on military conduct and training.

Last week, Polish lawmaker Konrad Berkowicz drew sharp attention in parliament after displaying an Israeli flag altered with a swastika during a speech in the Sejm, Poland’s lower house.

He used the gesture to denounce Israel’s atrocities, siege, and genocide in Gaza and called for Warsaw to sever ties with Israel.

Berkowicz later said he had been “punished” by parliament speaker Wlodzimierz Czarzasty, who imposed a financial penalty and filed a request with prosecutors following the speech.

“I have just been punished … for my recent speech on the genocide being carried out by Israel,” he wrote on X, adding that he would challenge the move and insisting that “No repression from state authorities will shut my mouth.”

Lawmakers in other European bodies have recently escalated their stances against Israel, with some calling it a “terrorist state.” … Full article

Israel’s war obsession and the urgency of Palestinian leverage

By Ramzy Baroud | MEMO | April 20, 2026

It is tempting to argue that Israel’s new military doctrine is predicated on perpetual war—but the reality is more complex.

Not that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would object to such an arrangement. On the contrary, his relentless drive for military escalation suggests precisely that. After all, his openly declared quest for a “greater Israel” would require exactly this kind of permanent militarism—endless expansion and sustained regional destruction.

However, Israel cannot sustain an open-ended fight on multiple fronts indefinitely. … continue

UAE discusses US financial backstop as Iran war threatens deeper economic crisis

MEMO | April 20, 2026

The United Arab Emirates is in talks with the Trump administration over possible financial assistance if the war with Iran drags on, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The report said UAE Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Federal Reserve officials in Washington last week, where he raised the idea of a currency-swap line.

A currency-swap line is a backup deal that helps a country get US dollars fast in an emergency. Countries may want this when war or crisis causes panic in the economy. In the UAE’s case, it suggests concern that a longer conflict with Iran could hurt confidence, disrupt trade and put pressure on its financial system.

Emirati officials are seeking what was described as a financial “lifeline” from Washington in case the war pushes the oil-rich Gulf state into a deeper financial crisis. A prolonged conflict could inflict major damage on the UAE’s economy and undermine its standing as a global financial hub by depleting foreign reserves and scaring off investors who had viewed the country as a stable destination for capital.

The report added that Iranian air strikes have damaged oil and gas infrastructure in the UAE, while Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since late February has disrupted the country’s oil shipments to buyers, cutting off a major source of revenue.

According to US sources cited in the report, UAE officials believe President Donald Trump’s decision to join Israel in the war on Iran has entangled their country in a destructive conflict. The proposed assistance is therefore being considered as a precautionary backstop should the economic fallout worsen.

However, US officials reportedly believe such an arrangement may not be approved. The Federal Open Market Committee generally reserves swap lines for severe funding-market pressures that risk spilling back into the US economy. … Full article

Supply chains breaking: The hidden bottlenecks threatening to bring the global economy to a standstill

The oil price is just the tip of the iceberg 

RT | April 20, 2026

The surge in oil prices in light of the war on Iran has grabbed most of the headlines. For many observers, the severity of the crisis is measurable in the daily changes in the Brent ticker. Some analysts have also begun pointing to emerging stress in fertilizer markets. But beneath these familiar markers, several less visible – and in some cases more systemic – signals are now flashing red.

RT takes a look at the ominous signs that don’t always show up in the news. … continue

Israel’s Expansion Means An Unraveling of Middle East Stability

By José Niño | The Libertarian Institute | April 20, 2026

The recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran may have paused the most intense phase of direct military confrontation, but it has done nothing to resolve the deeper questions about Middle Eastern stability that have emerged since October 7, 2023. Behind the temporary calm lies a profound transformation in Israeli strategic thinking, one that has moved from containment to active regional reorganization.

Israel is not a normal democracy that abides by the rule of law or legal restraint. It is very much an expansionist state with bold ambitions and a demonstrated willingness to break international law. The events of the past two years have made this reality impossible to ignore. … continue

Why has Israel’s Security Doctrine begun targeting Turkey?

The logic of prevention

By Lorenzo Maria Pacini | Strategic Culture Foundation | April 20, 2026

To understand why Turkey has gradually come to be viewed as a strategic concern for Israel, we must start with a methodological premise: in the Middle East, security doctrines are not formulated solely in response to immediate threats, but primarily in anticipation of future power dynamics. From this perspective, security does not equate to the mere defense of borders, but rather to the ability to prevent the emergence of regional actors capable of limiting Israel’s freedom of action or altering existing strategic balances.

Turkey is today viewed by a segment of the Israeli discourse not simply as a complex neighbor, but as a rising regional power with autonomous ambitions. This development is significant because, within the logic of Israeli security, an actor does not necessarily become a threat only when it displays direct hostility; it can also become one when it acquires sufficient military capabilities, geopolitical influence, and strategic depth to constrain Israel’s operational margin.

Israeli security doctrine has historically been associated with a preventive approach, grounded in the need to neutralize threats before they mature into a fully hostile form. This framework, applied over time to various theaters and adversaries, tends to view the growth in power of other actors as a potential long-term risk, even when it does not yet translate into a direct and immediate threat.

In this context, the issue is not merely what an actor does in the present, but what it might do in the future if it further strengthened its capabilities. For Israel, therefore, strategic analysis includes not only an assessment of intentions but also of potential. This is why attention focuses on states or organizations capable of influencing the regional balance of power, supporting alternative alliances, or limiting Israeli military superiority. … continue

Trump’s threats against Iranian civilian infrastructure ‘perfectly acceptable’ – UN envoy

RT | April 20, 2026

US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges is “perfectly acceptable,” Washington’s envoy to the UN Mike Waltz has said, dismissing accusations of potential war crimes.

Speaking on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, Waltz insisted that “all options are on the table” regarding a possible escalation of the US-Israeli war on Iran. He added that US forces could take out Iranian infrastructure “relatively easily” and claimed that Iranian air defenses have been “absolutely decimated.”

When pressed on whether Trump’s threat to target all power plants and bridges in Iran would be considered a breach of international law, Waltz admitted that it would be “an escalatory ladder.” However, he vehemently dismissed “ridiculous arguments” that it would constitute a “war crime,” calling such criticisms “irresponsible,” and drawing parallels with World War II. … Full article

US strikes vessel in Caribbean killing three, death toll reaches 180

Al Mayadeen | April 20, 2026

The United States military announced the killing of three individuals in a strike targeting an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, marking the latest escalation in Washington’s expanding operations across the region. … continue

NATO’s Baltic Operation Aims to Curb Russian Cargo Traffic

teleSUR | April 20, 2026

On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko denounced that the true objective of NATO’s “Baltic Sentry” operation is to establish control over key transport routes and restrict cargo shipments in Russia’s interests.

In an interview with RIA Novosti, Grushko said that NATO’s heightened activities in the Baltic Sea pose serious threats to international shipping and economic activity.

“At present, a NATO naval group consisting of the 1st Standing Maritime Group and the 1st Standing Mine Countermeasures Group of warships is operating in this water,” Grushko said.

“In January 2025, the alliance launched Operation Baltic Sentinel, the true objective of which is to establish control over international shipping routes and restrict cargo shipments in Russia’s interests,” he added.

In this context, NATO is making decisions to deploy additional military infrastructure and forces on the Swedish island of Gotland. In recent years, NATO has increased its activities near Russia’s western borders. Moscow has repeatedly expressed concerns over the buildup of NATO forces. … Full article

Dialogue with Russia ‘must be restored’ – Bulgarian election winner

RT | April 20, 2026

The winner of the Bulgarian parliamentary election, Progressive Bulgaria’s Rumen Radev, has called for dialogue with Russia to be restored. The former president has led the newly formed left-leaning populist party to a landslide victory on a platform of critical dialogue with Brussels and pragmatism towards Moscow.

Speaking to reporters after the first exit polls showed his party well in the lead, the EU-skeptic Radev said Bulgaria would remain “on its European path,” but argued that Sofia and the bloc both need “more critical thinking” in foreign policy. […]

A vocal critic of the EU’s Ukraine policy, Radev has opposed Bulgaria’s embargo on Russian energy, blocked a 2022 plan to send armored vehicles to Ukraine, and argued that there is no military solution to the conflict. – Full article

France’s New Nuclear Strategy to Weaken Security in Europe – Russian Foreign Ministry

Sputnik – 20.04.2026

The security of non-nuclear European countries will ultimately be weakened by France’s plans to deploy nuclear weapons on their territory, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in an interview with Sputnik.

“As a result, instead of the French declaring a strengthening of the defense of their allies, to whom, incidentally, they are not promising any ironclad guarantees, the security of these countries is actually weakening,” Grushko said.

France reportedly possesses 280 nuclear warheads. Denmark has already concluded a strategic nuclear deterrence agreement with France, which is intended to complement NATO’s deterrence mechanisms. Poland is also negotiating with France to join this initiative.

In his March speech on France’s nuclear deterrence policy, French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country must strengthen its nuclear doctrine in the face of new threats. Therefore, he ordered an increase in the number of French nuclear weapons. According to Macron, France should also consider expanding its nuclear strategy to all of Europe, but must also preserve its sovereignty.

No, BBC, Disaster Losses Can’t Be Tied to Climate Change

By Anthony Watts | ClimateRealism | April 10, 2026

The recent British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Science Focus publication “The US is now paying more than any other country for climate change damage, study suggests,” claims that the United States is “now paying more than any other country for climate change damage,” citing a study estimating $16.2 trillion in U.S. losses since 1990. This is a fabricated falsehood. Decades of peer-reviewed research on disaster losses show no detectable long-term trend in normalized weather-related losses attributable to human-caused climate change and the BBC is wrongly conflating weather with climate.

The BBC based its story on a study from researchers at Stanford University, who write “[c]limate change is causing measurable harm globally.” They admit that no research links loss and damages from extreme weather to climate change; a gap in knowledge they attempt to remedy by applying politically motivated, flawed social cost of carbon estimates to econometric models tying carbon dioxide emissions to aggregate economic output in simulations of what output might have been had the Earth not warmed slightly.

The study’s model-derived GDP estimates don’t, as the BBC story implies, represent documented observed damages. There is a critical distinction between econometric modeling and real-world loss data.

Roger Pielke Jr., Ph.D., in his 2023 comprehensive review “Climate Change and Disaster Losses,” surveyed the peer-reviewed normalization literature and found overwhelmingly that increases in reported disaster losses are explained by increased exposure, wealth, and development—not by climate change.

That is not a fringe claim. It reflects the dominant conclusion in existing scientific literature. … continue

For Minnesota, Climate Obsession Is Just Another Fiscal Disaster

By Daniel Turner | Watts Up With That? | April 5, 2026

… “Climate change superfund.” Here’s how it works. Bill SF-4866 enables the Minnestoa legislature to steal from individual energy companies they do not like, turning them into scapegoats for bad weather. […]

“Big oil” won’t pay. The consumer will. Look at the current elevated prices of oil due to the Iran engagement. Is “big oil” swallowing the losses caused by international supply chain disruption?  No. Drivers are paying more as prices tick upward. Corporations do not pay taxes and fines, superfund penalties, or nonsense lawsuit payouts. They just charge more for their product like every other company on the planet.

Other fiscally troubled states have introduced superfund legislation, too. New York ($34 billion budget deficit for FY 2026 with $233 billion in debt) and Vermont ($33 million budget deficit for FY 2026 with $800 million in debt). It is inevitable that other blue states in the red like New Jersey, Illinois, and California do the same. The superfund is free money with the right amount of virtue signaling, even if the costs fall on the people. … Full article

The climate change scientists racing to dim the sun

By Paul Homewood | Not A Lot Of People Know That | April 14, 2026

… The whole idea is barmy, but more to the point, why is a penny of taxpayer money being spent on it? … Read article

Israeli Forces Shoot Worker, Intensify West Bank Invasions

IMEMC | April 19, 2026

Israeli occupation forces intensified their violations across the occupied West Bank on Saturday, shooting and injuring a Palestinian worker near a military roadblock south of Hebron while carrying out multiple invasions, assaults, and abductions in several districts.

Israeli soldiers shot and injured a young man near the ath‑Thaheriya “Meitar” military roadblock south of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank.

Media sources said the soldiers opened fire at Palestinian workers near the Annexation Wall close to the military roadblock, injuring one of them with live ammunition before he was transferred to hospital. … Full article

Elderly woman injured in settler attack on farmers in al-Khalil

Palestinian Information Center – April 19, 2026

AL-KHALIL – An elderly Palestinian woman sustained injuries on Saturday after being assaulted by extremist Jewish settlers in the town of Sa’ir, northeast of al-Khalil in the occupied West Bank.

Local sources reported that settlers attacked Palestinian farmers while they were cultivating their swaths of land in the Wadi Khanis area of Sa’ir.

An elderly woman identified as Umm Hussein Jabbarin was injured in the settler attack before she was transferred to a medical center by a Red Crescent ambulance crew.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces stormed the same area and kidnaped the woman’s sons, Hussein, Anas, and Issa Jabarin, after settlers assaulted her and other members of the family.

In separate incidents on Sunday, settler groups set fire to a house and a car, destroyed olive trees and a fence, and seized a building in the West Bank.

According to media sources, a horde of settlers attacked the village of Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, setting fire to the home of As’ad Tuffa’ha and a car belonging to another citizen.

In Bethlehem, settlers uprooted dozens of newly planted olive saplings in the Ush al-Ghurab area of Beit Sahour town and attacked homes in the Jabel Harasa area.

In al-Khalil, settlers seized a historic Jordanian military post known as “Rajm al-Naqa” in the village of al-Rashayda and connected it to a water network.

Another group of settlers vandalized a fence surrounding large tracts of land belonging to Palestinian citizens in the Huwara area of Masafer Yatta, south of al-Khalil.

Israeli army kills 1 Palestinian, wounds another in Gaza

MEMO | April 19, 2026

A Palestinian was killed and another was seriously injured on Sunday by Israeli gunfire in northern and central parts of the Gaza Strip, medical sources told Anadolu.

A Palestinian was killed after Israeli military vehicles opened fire toward tents of displaced people in Halawa camp east of Jabalia in northern Gaza, the sources said.

A 16-year-old male was also seriously injured and taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital after being targeted by an Israeli quadcopter drone in the Al-Tahlia area of Deir al-Balah, in the central part of the strip.

The casualties were the latest in ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement in effect in the Palestinian enclave since October 2025.

Israeli army vehicles and helicopters opened fire toward areas east of the central governorate, local sources also told Anadolu.

In the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli artillery shelled areas east of the city of Khan Younis, coinciding with heavy gunfire from vehicles and helicopters, while naval vessels targeted the city’s coastline with shells and machine gun fire. … Full article

Ex-intel officer questions Israeli strategy in Lebanon as losses mount

Al Mayadeen | April 19, 2026

A former Israeli Military Intelligence officer has questioned the Israeli occupation’s strategy in southern Lebanon, pointing to mounting losses since the ceasefire took effect.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Jacques Neriah told i24 News that Hezbollah has emerged stronger from the war despite extensive Israeli bombing and attacks, noting that the group “represents the resistance against Israel, and this is its primary source of strength.”

“If we are sustaining daily losses in Lebanon, how long can we endure this situation?” he asked. … continue

Netanyahu’s ‘total victory’ to total flop

By Robert Inlakesh | Al Mayadeen | April 19, 2026

Promising annihilation, dominance, and total victory, the Israeli leadership has found itself in a predicament no closer to victory on any front. Tactical victories sold as strategic ones have been exposed; instead of meticulously planned operations, Tel Aviv engages in aggression without any discernible long-term strategy to achieve its stated aims. … continue

Trump: US Forces Attack, Seize Iranian Cargo Ship

By Kyle Anzalone | The Libertarian Institute | April 19, 2026

President Donald Trump claimed an Iranian-flagged vessel attempted to break the US blockade. US forces attacked and boarded the cargo ship.

“Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them,” the President wrote on Truth Social Sunday. “The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop.”

He continued, “The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom. Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel.”

Last week, Trump ordered the US Navy to blockade Iranian ports. The Touska is the first vessel intercepted by the US enforcing the blockade. The President said he ordered the blockade due to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. … Full article

IRNA denies 2nd round of negotiations: reports

Al Mayadeen | April 19, 2026

Iran has not yet made a decision on whether it will engage in a new round of negotiations with the United States, local media reported on Sunday. IRNA news agency said that “there is no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations.”

IRNA denied reports that a second round of negotiations had been held in Islamabad, stating that they were “incorrect.” The state news agency reported that Washington’s “maximalism and excessive and unrealistic demands,” along with “frequent changes of positions, constant contradictions, and the continuation of the so-called naval blockade.”

The agency added that under these conditions, “there is no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations.”

It also indicated that the reports being circulated by the United States are nothing more than “media games, part of a pattern of exchanging accusations and exerting pressure on Iran.”

On another note, citing unnamed sources, the Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported that Tehran has not finalized its position on participating in the proposed talks. They also described the current climate as “not very positive,” with Fars quoting a source as saying that lifting a US blockade on Iranian ports would be a prerequisite for any negotiations. … continue

Iran Warns Window for Diplomacy Is Rapidly Closing

By Kyle Anzalone | The Libertarian Institute | April 19, 2026

A senior Iranian official said President Donald Trump’s maximalist demands and erratic behavior are harming the diplomatic process.

“Our assessment is that Trump effectively lacks both a coherent plan and the capacity to secure even a temporary agreement. His decision-making appears to be grounded in Israeli political and security assessments, conveyed to him on a daily basis,” a senior Iranian official told Drop Site News. “There hasn’t been any real progress. Both sides are just signaling behind the scenes that they’re open to reaching an agreement.”

Last week, Trump celebrated Tehran’s opening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, he refused to lift the US blockade of Iranian ports, leading Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz. He also gave a series of statements claiming Iran agreed to major concessions on its nuclear program.

Top Iranian officials denied that Tehran had agreed to give the US its enriched material. Iran says it will not end the conflict until the US recognizes its control over the Strait of Hormuz, pays war reparations, and pledges never to attack Iran again.

On Sunday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he was sending representatives to Pakistan to present Iran with his final offer. He threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran rejected his proposal.

Trump has threatened to destroy the civilian infrastructure of Iran multiple times during the nearly two-month-long war. Earlier this month, he said he was prepared to eliminate Iran’s civilization before agreeing to a two-week truce.

The Iranian official speaking with Drop Site explained that if current negotiations fail and the war resumes, Tehran will cut off talks with the US for an extended period. “The Islamabad negotiations provided President Trump with an appropriate opportunity to exit the war,” the official explained. “Should [Trump] nevertheless choose to continue the conflict, Iran will, for a prolonged period, suspend diplomatic channels and will seek, within the context of the conflict, to impose significantly greater costs on United States interests.”

Israel attacks three nations for alleged backing of Iran

RT | April 19, 2026

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations has lashed out at his French, Chinese, and Pakistani counterparts, accusing their countries of effectively backing Iran by allegedly striking deals to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The rebuke appears to stem from media reports which recently indicated that commercial vessels from all three countries were able to transit the Strait of Hormuz during the blockade, in some cases with Iranian authorization, despite broader restrictions on shipping imposed by Tehran. … continue