Daily Archives: 3 August 2026

Gaza Health Ministry warns medical system nearing collapse after Israel destroys drug warehouse

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A view of the area following an Israeli airstrike targeting the medicine warehouse at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital and the surrounding tent camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Palestine on August 01, 2026. [Moiz Salhi – Anadolu Agency]

Gaza’s Health Ministry warned Saturday that the enclave’s medical system is rapidly approaching collapse after Israeli forces destroyed a drug warehouse at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, amid severe shortages of medicines and medical supplies, Anadolu reports.

Earlier Saturday, the ministry said the Israeli army destroyed two warehouses containing essential medicines and medical supplies and severely damaged two others in strikes on storage facilities at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

Munir Al-Bursh, director general of Gaza’s Health Ministry, told Anadolu that Israeli attacks were no longer limited to patients, medical staff and hospitals but had expanded to include medicine warehouses.

“The Israeli occupation targeted the drug warehouse of the kidney department behind the outpatient building at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital after prior notification, completely destroying it,” he said.

Al-Bursh said the strike came as Gaza’s health sector was already facing a 51% shortage of essential medicines and a 59% shortage of medical consumables, while 22.5% of laboratory equipment is out of service because of a lack of spare parts.

He described the attack as “a direct blow to what remains of the lifeline inside hospitals.”

READ: UN chief urges Israel, Hamas to implement Trump-announced Gaza deal without delay

Al-Bursh warned that the destruction of the warehouse would deepen the humanitarian crisis, accelerate the collapse of the healthcare system and deprive thousands of patients of their basic right to treatment.

“The war here is not only targeting buildings, but also medicine, treatment and people’s chance to stay alive,” he said.

He called for the protection of medicine warehouses and medical supplies in Gaza under international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on medical facilities and supplies designated for civilian treatment.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital is one of the few remaining operational government hospitals in Gaza after widespread destruction of the territory’s health infrastructure during Israel’s military campaign, which began on Oct. 8, 2023.

The hospital has repeatedly come under Israeli attack during the war, sustaining damage to its buildings and resulting in casualties among patients and medical staff.

The latest strike comes as Israel continues its blockade of Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities. Israel has failed to fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, including reopening crossings and allowing agreed levels of humanitarian, food and medical aid into the enclave.

According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 174,000 injured since October 2023, while about 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has been destroyed. The United Nations estimates reconstruction costs at around $70 billion.

READ: Israeli airstrike destroys medical warehouses near hospital in central Gaza

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Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel. New Labour UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham continues Labour party policy of active support and complicity in Israel's genocide.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel. New Labour UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham continues Labour party policy of active support and complicity in Israel’s genocide.

Continue ReadingGaza Health Ministry warns medical system nearing collapse after Israel destroys drug warehouse

Hamas says Israel escalating Gaza attacks to derail ceasefire understandings

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Palestinians inspect the rubble of the Abu Latif house hit by an Israeli strike in the port area of Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine on August 02, 2026. [Saeed M. M. T. Jaras – Anadolu Agency]

Hamas accused Israel on Sunday of deliberately escalating its attacks on the Gaza Strip to derail understandings reached with mediators and the US administration on completing implementation of the ceasefire agreement, Anadolu reports.

In a statement, the Palestinian group said Israeli attacks since Sunday morning had killed more than 18 Palestinians and “wiped out” entire families.

The bombardment constituted “a deliberate escalation by the government of war criminal Netanyahu, aimed at obstructing the understandings reached with the mediators, including the US administration, to complete the implementation of the ceasefire agreement,” it said.

READ: Israeli attacks kill 18 Palestinians across Gaza despite ceasefire

Hamas called on the mediators and guarantors of the ceasefire agreement to “assume their responsibilities,” condemn the Israeli attacks and “immediately” pressure Israel to halt its assaults and comply with the agreement.

The group described the attacks as acts that “amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” and called on the international community to take legal action to hold Israeli leaders accountable.

It also urged measures to protect Palestinians, who it said continued to face “the threat of genocide and displacement.”

On Friday, the Peace Board and US President Donald Trump announced an agreement to implement the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, with the board saying Hamas had accepted a detailed roadmap. Israel has not officially commented on the proposal.

READ: Hamas says Israel must halt attacks to advance Gaza ceasefire’s 2nd phase

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.

Continue ReadingHamas says Israel escalating Gaza attacks to derail ceasefire understandings

Comparing Israel to Nazi regime is not a criminal offense, German court rules

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The Israeli and German flags are shown in front of the German parliament building in Berlin. [Photo via Getty Images]

A German court ruled that comparing Israel to the Nazi regime is not a criminal offense, the legal website beck online reported, Anadolu reports.

In the case, in several Instagram posts, a user had compared the actions of the state of Israel to the methods of the Nazi regime—and in doing so used the Nazi swastika and the Nazi party flag.

Citing her right to freedom of speech, a higher regional court in the southwestern city of Zweibruckem has acquitted her of any wrongdoing, according to the report published earlier this week.

According to the court, the criminal offense of using symbols of unconstitutional organizations is not fulfilled if someone uses the symbols to sharp criticize the state of Israel’s methods and thereby clearly distances herself from or condemns Nazi-era injustices.

READ: Germany’s Merz tells Netanyahu US-Iran deal is ‘best chance’ for stability

The user in question posted a table in her story comparing the actions of the Nazis with Israel’s actions in the Middle East conflict. Above it was a split image showing the flag of Israel on one side and the flag of the Nazi party—with a partially visible swastika—on the other.

Another post showed a wall with a Star of David, in the center of which was a Nazi swastika. Soldiers were firing from the wall into the walled-off area, with blood flowing out from beneath the walls. The user also included the hashtags #freepalestine and #gazaunderattack.

A lower court in the city of Ludwigshafen had sentenced the woman to a fine of €2,400 ($2,768) for using symbols of unconstitutional organizations. On appeal, the Zweibrucken court overturned the decision. It cautioned against interpreting the criminal offense too broadly in light of freedom of expression.

READ: Germany rules out sanctions against Israel despite West Bank concerns

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel. New Labour UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham continues Labour party policy of active support and complicity in Israel's genocide.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel. New Labour UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham continues Labour party policy of active support and complicity in Israel’s genocide.

Continue ReadingComparing Israel to Nazi regime is not a criminal offense, German court rules

Iran denies seeking halt to US attacks, agreement to reopen Strait of Hormuz

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Large commercial vessels and a small boat navigate the waters off the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran on June 21, 2026. [Hassan Ghaedi – Anadolu Agency]

Iranian military officials on Sunday dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran had asked for a halt to a planned US attack as a “lie,” as sources denied reports of an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“Trump’s claim that Iran asked for the attacks to be halted is merely another lie and a desperate attempt to blackmail Gulf rulers and pressure them through threats,” the officials were quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.

They said Iranian forces remained at the “highest level of readiness” and were prepared for all possibilities.

“If confrontation becomes inevitable, the battlefield will be decisive,” the officials said. “At that point, everyone will understand who holds the power and who will have the final say.”

Separately, a source close to Iran’s negotiating team denied reports that an agreement had been reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

READ: Trump cancels planned strikes on Iran to allow for talks on peace deal

“No agreement has been reached on reopening the Strait of Hormuz,” the source told the semi-official Fars News Agency.

An informed military source also told Fars that the strategic waterway would remain closed as long as the US continued “hostile actions.”

The source said vessels would be allowed to pass only through the designated route and with authorization from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Trump said Saturday that he canceled a planned military strike against Iran after Tehran and “other Middle Eastern countries” requested time to finalize the framework of a peace deal, saying Israel has joined the commitment.

​​​​​​​In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that the sides agreed to the “perimeters” of a potential deal that would include the “immediate, complete, and total” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.

READ: Saudi crown prince voices concern to Trump about reported Iran strike plans: Report

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Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.

Continue ReadingIran denies seeking halt to US attacks, agreement to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Iran says talks with Oman on Strait of Hormuz ‘nearing completion’

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Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran Esmail Baghaei attends a press conference at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran, Iran on May 4, 2026. [Fatemeh Bahrami – Anadolu Agency]

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday negotiations between Iran and Oman over the management of the Strait of Hormuz are “nearing completion.”

Araghchi briefed the Cabinet on the latest status of negotiations between Tehran and Muscat, noting progress in the discussions, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported.

He said the negotiations are “nearing completion and in their final stages,” without providing further details.

Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the talks were bilateral and “do not concern any other party,” according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

“The issue of Iran and Oman holding talks to reach a mechanism that safeguards our interests is not new and has been under discussion for a long time,” he said.

Baqaei said under Article 5 of the memorandum of understanding with the US to end the war, the future management of the Strait of Hormuz was to be carried out by Iran, in consultation with Oman and through dialogue with regional countries.

READ: Iran denies seeking halt to US attacks, agreement to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Baqaei said the northern route of the waterway was “completely safe” during the first 22 or 23 days of the memorandum’s implementation and that vessels used it during that period.

The US then launched a military attack against Iran before the expiry of the 30-day period intended to restore maritime traffic to pre-war conditions, he added.

Baqaei said the southern route had contributed to regional insecurity and harmed Iran’s national interests, saying Tehran would not accept it.

“The agreed route will be neither the current northern route nor the southern route, but a new route on which the two sides will reach an understanding,” he said.

He stressed that an understanding between Iran and Oman on a new route “does not mean that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened or remain closed.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran acts according to the country’s interests and considerations and will not change its decisions under the influence of threats or intimidation by others,” Baqaei added.

​​​​​​​There was no immediate comment from Oman on the Iranian statements.

READ: Trump postpones Iran escalation following Gulf diplomatic pressure: Reports

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.

Continue ReadingIran says talks with Oman on Strait of Hormuz ‘nearing completion’