Yearly Archives: 2026

Despite Trump’s ceasefire talk, Netanyahu says Israeli forces will continue offensive in southern Lebanon

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A plume of smoke rises over the town of Kfar Tebnit in southern Lebanon following an Israeli airstrike carried out despite a ceasefire agreement in Nabatieh, Lebanon on June 01, 2026. [Ramiz Dallah – Anadolu Agency]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that army troops will continue ongoing offensive in southern Lebanon, despite US President Donald Trump’s talk of a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah, Anadolu reports.

“I spoke this evening with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not stop attacking our cities and citizens, Israel will strike terror targets in Beirut,” he said in comments carried by the daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

“Our position remains unchanged. At the same time, the army will continue to operate as planned in southern Lebanon,” he added.

Trump said early Monday that Israel and Hezbollah had reached an understanding to cease attacks against each other.

Israeli media earlier said that Netanyahu and Trump spoke over the phone to discuss the situation in Lebanon and Iran.

It came amid Israeli military escalation in Lebanon and hours after Netanyahu ordered the army to carry out airstrikes in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Iranian media earlier reported that Tehran halted the exchanges of messages with Washington over the Israeli escalation in Lebanon.

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said Israel had planned to attack Beirut’s southern suburbs on Monday morning, but decided to postpone the bombardment due to US intervention.

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February. Tehran retaliated with attacks targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf, alongside the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but subsequent talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. Efforts for a solution, however, have continued since.

READ: Negotiations with Israel ‘need time,’ Lebanese president says

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

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingDespite Trump’s ceasefire talk, Netanyahu says Israeli forces will continue offensive in southern Lebanon

UN: Israeli air strike hits UN school in Gaza

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Smoke rises following an Israeli strike targeting Palestinian homes near the “Yellow Line” in the eastern areas of Jabalia Refugee Camp in northern Gaza, Palestine on June 1, 2026. [Ramez Habboub – Anadolu Agency]

The United Nations said on Monday that an Israeli air strike hit a UN school building sheltering displaced families in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking at his daily press briefing in New York, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric discussed the latest developments in the Middle East.

Dujarric said: “yesterday, an air strike hit the rooftop of a UN school building in Nuseirat, in Gaza, which is used to shelter displaced families, resulting in damage.”

He added: “Fortunately, we have received no reports of injuries resulting from this attack.”

Dujarric also shared recent reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on developments in the occupied West Bank.

In this context, he said: “a Palestinian trying to cross the Israeli Barrier into East Jerusalem — reportedly in search of job opportunities — was shot and killed.

The UN spokesperson said the incident was part of a series of developments following Israel’s decision in October 2023 to cancel or suspend most permits allowing Palestinians to enter East Jerusalem or Israel for work and other purposes.

READ: Hamas accuses Mladenov of inciting against Gaza, urges adherence to war-ending pla

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

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingUN: Israeli air strike hits UN school in Gaza

Iran seeks ceasefire across Lebanon, Ghalibaf tells Berri

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

Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran, Iran on April 16, 2026. [Iranian Parliament Speaker Office – Anadolu Agency]

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri during a phone call that Tehran is determined to secure a ceasefire across all of Lebanon, including the south.

During the call, Ghalibaf said: “If the crimes continue, we will stop the negotiations.”

He added: “The bond between Iran and Lebanon is inseparable, and our lives and your lives are one.”

Ghalibaf said that if an agreement is reached to end the war between Iran and the United States, it would include a halt to attacks on all fronts, particularly Lebanon.

He stressed that “if the crimes continue, we will not only stop the negotiations, but we will also stand against the Zionist entity.”

For his part, Berri said: “Lebanon will never forget Iran’s positive positions during this critical period.”

Earlier, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the Iranian negotiating team had suspended the exchange of messages with the United States through mediators following Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Citing sources, the agency said: “Given the continued crimes of the Zionist entity in Lebanon, and because Lebanon was one of the preconditions for a ceasefire, and since that ceasefire has now been violated on all fronts, including Lebanon, the Iranian negotiating team is suspending dialogues and the exchange of messages through mediators.”

The developments come amid rising tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel, as Tehran seeks to ensure that any ceasefire covers all regional fronts, including Lebanon, while clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate.

Trump rebukes Netanyahu over Lebanon escalation, says it threatens Iran talks: report

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

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingIran seeks ceasefire across Lebanon, Ghalibaf tells Berri

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Kicks Off Pride With “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” Campaign

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https://www.them.us/story/zohran-mamdani-trans-rights-are-human-rights-campaign

Noam Galai/Getty Images

The campaign will highlight existing protections for transgender and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers.

To kick off Pride Month, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the New York City Commission on Human Rights announced the launch of a public awareness campaign dedicated to the safety of transgender and gender-nonconforming people.

In partnership with the newly established Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs as well as the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, the “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” campaign will highlight existing protections for trans and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers covered by the city’s Human Rights Law. Throughout June, informational graphics and banners designed by artist Dez Stavracos will be displayed on public transit, paper advertisements, and electric kiosks across the city, outlining the rights to which trans New Yorkers are already entitled.

Currently, the New York City Human Rights Law protects trans and gender non-conforming people’s right to be addressed by the correct name, be gendered correctly, express their gender freely, and use facilities such as restrooms, locker rooms, and saunas that correspond with their gender. The law also prohibits housing, employment, and public space discrimination based on someone’s gender identity or expression, as well as gender-based bias, harassment, and retaliation from law enforcement.

…

https://www.them.us/story/zohran-mamdani-trans-rights-are-human-rights-campaign

Donald Trump decrees forbidden terms denying sexual diversity
Donald Trump decrees forbidden terms denying sexual diversity

Continue ReadingNYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Kicks Off Pride With “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” Campaign

“The UK Government must act immediately” – Ellie Chowns responds to Netanyahu’s orders to seize 70% of Gaza Strip

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Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. CC image Wikipedia.
Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. CC image Wikipedia.

Responding to reports that Benjamin Netanyahu has given orders to the Israeli army to seize control of 70% of the Gaza Strip, Dr Ellie Chowns MP said:

“Netanyahu’s directive to expand Israeli military control over 70% of the Gaza Strip is horrifying, constituting a grave breach of the ceasefire if carried out and a blatant disregard for the rights and lives of Palestinian civilians already enduring unimaginable suffering.

“This plan will not serve to strengthen the path to security or peace in the region. It will only drive yet more families from their homes, further restrict the delivery of aid, and deepen a humanitarian crisis in a territory already devastated by war, famine, and genocide. The people of Gaza cannot be squeezed into an ever-smaller space and expected to survive without proper access to food, water, shelter, and medical care.

“The UK Government must act immediately: unequivocally condemn any attempt to seize more territory or ethnically cleanse Gaza, insist on full compliance with the ceasefire and international law, and demand unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza at scale. It must also halt all arms sales to and military cooperation with the Israeli Government, drive independent investigations into war crimes, and impose sanctions on government officials responsible for breaches of international law.

“The continued expansion of military control and the forced displacement of Palestinians cannot be allowed to become normalised. The UK must stand up for international law, human rights, and the protection of civilians – not further impunity for perpetrators of war crimes.”

Continue Reading“The UK Government must act immediately” – Ellie Chowns responds to Netanyahu’s orders to seize 70% of Gaza Strip