Topic
middleeastconflict
51 stories, newest first · page 2 of 3.
Conflict & Security · Middle EastIsraeli strike kills child and man in Gaza, medics say
An Israeli airstrike in central Gaza killed two Palestinians, including a three-year-old boy, medics reported. The military said it attacked a Hamas militant. A ceasefire in place since October 2025 has not stopped Israeli strikes.
Middle East3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 60 · Hype 20
Conflict & Security · Middle EastIran Army Claims War-Damaged Weapons Rebuilt, New Systems Imported
Iran's army claims to have rebuilt all weapons systems damaged during a recent war and imported new equipment. The conflict, which began in late February, ended with an armistice in April after nearly 40 days of intense bombing.
Middle East3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 59 · Hype 41
Conflict & Security · Middle EastDefense Secretary Hegseth cut civilian harm program despite commander advice
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth eliminated most of the funding and staff for the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response program, despite advice from top commanders. The U.S. military has since killed hundreds of noncombatants.
Middle East4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 61 · Hype 41- Conflict & Security · Middle East
Tanker hit by projectile in Red Sea, fire erupts on deck
A tanker in the Red Sea was struck by an unknown projectile, causing a fire on its main deck. All crew members are reported safe, and no environmental damage has occurred. The incident took place near the Saudi port of Yanbu.
Middle East3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 20 
Conflict & Security · Middle East14-year-old Islam Ajouri killed in West Bank raid; 4-year-old dies in Gaza
On 23 August 2026 Israeli forces shot 14‑year‑old Islam Ahmad Maher Ajouri dead during a raid on the Askar refugee camp near Nablus. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported the killing, the Israeli army opened an investigation and arrested a suspect in a related stabbing, and a four‑year‑old child was killed in Gaza by an Israeli strike.
Middle East2 min readTrust 64 · Craft 95 · Hype 15![Israeli soldiers take position during a raid in the Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. [File: Alaa Badarneh/EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/14036023-1787486586.jpg?resize=1920%2C1440)
Conflict & Security · Middle EastIsraeli man stabbed near West Bank village of Al-Auja
An Israeli man was moderately wounded in a stabbing attack near the village of Al-Auja in the occupied West Bank. The attacker escaped, and Israeli forces initiated a search. Hamas claimed responsibility for the stabbing, calling it a response to Israeli actions.
Middle East4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41- Conflict & Security · Middle East
Smuggling of Israeli-restricted goods into Gaza booms since October 2023
An Associated Press investigation reveals a surge in smuggling of goods restricted by Israel into Gaza since October 2023. Cigarettes, iPhones, fuel and medicine enter illegally, driving up prices for Palestinians. Israeli soldiers and middlemen are accused of profiting, while hospitals rely on smugglers for supplies.
Middle East5 min readTrust 82 · Craft 85 · Hype 15 
Conflict & SecurityIran executes Qaem Hosseini, foreign national linked to January protests
Iran executed Qaem Hosseini, a foreign national, on 20 August 2026 over charges tied to January’s anti-government protests. State media linked him to the deaths of four police officers in Isfahan, though his nationality and trial details remain unclear. No left-rated outlet covered the story.
4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 55 · Hype 35![US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with technology leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in Washington [Jacquelyn Martin/ AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ap_6a863c2b9f2cd-1787182123_e60870-1787182171.jpg?resize=1200%2C630&quality=80)
Conflict & Security · Middle EastTrump threatens sanctions on countries aiding Iran after talks stall
Donald Trump announced new economic measures against Iran, warning any country providing financial or logistical support would face 'tremendous economic consequences'. The move follows stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with Trump claiming Iran had rejected a deal.
Middle East5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 58
Conflict & Security · Middle EastUAE severs trade and financial ties with Iran after missile threat in Strait of Hormuz
The United Arab Emirates announced a full suspension of trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran on 18 August 2026, citing regional escalation after Iranian ballistic missiles were detected targeting maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attacks on UAE state-owned ADNOC vessels.
Middle East5 min readTrust 55 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
Conflict & SecuritySyria arrests ISIS commander Abu Jihad al-Muhajir near Manbij
Syria’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of Hamza Abdullah Mohammad, known as Abu Jihad al-Muhajir, a high-ranking ISIS military commander, during a security operation near Manbij in Aleppo governorate on 18 August 2026. The ministry described the operation as part of efforts to dismantle ISIS networks and prevent the group’s resurgence.
5 min readTrust 65 · Craft 55 · Hype 25
Conflict & Security · Middle EastIran vows to keep Strait of Hormuz shut until US lifts blockade and sanctions
Iran’s chief negotiator said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US lifts its naval blockade, releases frozen assets and ends oil sanctions. A vessel was struck in the strait, injuring at least one crew member, as tensions escalate over a June memorandum of understanding.
Middle East4 min readTrust 78 · Craft 65 · Hype 15- Conflict & Security · Middle East
Israel recovers remains of soldier missing since 1982 Battle of Sultan Yaqub
The Israeli military has located the remains of Yehuda Katz, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yaqub during the First Lebanon War. The discovery follows the recovery of two other soldiers from the same battle in recent years, with Russia previously assisting in the search.
Middle East4 min readTrust 62 · Craft 85 · Hype 70 
Conflict & Security · Middle EastIran used US-Iran truce to expand missile and drone production, reports say
Iran exploited the June 17 US-Iran memorandum of understanding to accelerate missile and drone production, appoint hardline commanders, and deploy forces near the Red Sea, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal and Iranian state media. The truce expired on 17 August 2026 with no renewal announced.
Middle East5 min readTrust 76 · Craft 87 · Hype 45
Conflict & Security · Middle EastIran signals shift to offensive military doctrine, IRGC commander says
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a shift from a defensive to an offensive military doctrine, with a senior commander stating the country may adopt 'transformative approaches' to neutralise threats. The move follows a 60-day ceasefire memorandum with the US, which Iran reportedly used to prepare for wider conflict.
Middle East5 min readTrust 80 · Craft 85 · Hype 28- Conflict & Security · Middle East
Strait of Hormuz shipping halts after tanker attacks and stalled US-Iran talks
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to near standstill over the weekend, with no commodity vessels recorded on Sunday after attacks on tankers. US-Iran negotiations remain stalled, and Iran insists Washington must meet its conditions for transit to resume. Oil prices steadied despite the disruption.
Middle East5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 58 · Hype 22 
Conflict & Security · Middle EastIsraeli airstrikes kill nine in Lebanon, including three children
Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed nine people, including three children, on 15 August 2026, in attacks Lebanon’s Prime Minister said targeted civilians. Israel stated the strikes were in response to Hezbollah actions, amid a fragile truce since June.
Middle East5 min readTrust 96 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Conflict & Security · Middle EastUS announces unprecedented sanctions and indefinite blockade on Iran
The US will impose economic sanctions on Iran described as 'unprecedented' and maintain a naval blockade indefinitely, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced. The measures follow attacks on UAE ships and failed ceasefire talks, with the Trump administration framing them as a dual strategy to force Tehran’s capitulation.
Middle East4 min readTrust 62 · Craft 51 · Hype 41
Conflict & Security · Middle EastTrump claims Strait of Hormuz will become US territory after Iran defeat
Donald Trump said he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, asserting that Iran had been heavily defeated in the war and that no vessel could transit the waterway without American approval. Outlets disagreed on whether his tone was serious or joking.
Middle East5 min readTrust 68 · Craft 67 · Hype 50
Conflict & Security · Middle EastUS defence secretary says naval blockade of Iran can continue indefinitely
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the US military has sufficient assets to maintain its naval blockade of Iran for as long as necessary. The blockade has redirected over 55 commercial vessels since its imposition, with US forces disabling three and boarding two.
Middle East5 min readTrust 78 · Craft 85 · Hype 15
