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Israel announced Tuesday it will halt operations of more than two dozen humanitarian organizations in Gaza, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), starting Jan. 1, citing their failure to meet new vetting rules. The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said the organizations did not provide sufficient details on staff, funding, and operations. Israel accused some MSF staff of alleged ties to Hamas and other militant groups, claims the group has strongly denied. The ministry noted that about 25 organizations, representing 15% of NGOs operating in Gaza, will not have their permits renewed. International organizations criticized Israel’s rules as arbitrary and warned that they could put aid workers at risk. Tensions have escalated over aid in Gaza since the two-year war ended with a ceasefire on Oct. 10. Israel maintains it is fulfilling aid commitments under the ceasefire, while humanitarian groups say more assistance is urgently needed for the territory’s two million residents. Doctors Without Borders said in 2024 it took allegations of staff involvement in military activities “very seriously” and reiterated it would never knowingly employ individuals engaged in such actions.

Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's port city of Mukalla on Tuesday over what it described as a shipment of weapons for a separatist force there that arrived from the United Arab Emirates. The UAE did not immediately acknowledge the strike. The attack signals a new escalation in tensions between the kingdom and the separatist forces of the Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the Emirates. It also further strains ties between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, which had been backing competing sides in Yemen's decadelong war against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels amid a moment of unease across the wider Red Sea region. Yemen's anti-Houthi forces later declared a state of emergency Tuesday. It issued a 72-hour ban on all border crossings in territory they hold, as well as entries to airports and seaports, except those allowed by Saudi Arabia. A military statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency announced the strikes, which it said came after ships arrived there from Fujairah, a port city on the UAE's eastern coast. "The ships' crew had the disabled tracking devices aboard the vessels, and unloaded a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles in support of the Southern Transitional Council's forces," it said. "Considering that the aforementioned weapons constitute an imminent threat, and an escalation that threatens peace and stability, the Coalition Air Force has conducted this morning a limited airstrike that targeted weapons and military vehicles offloaded from the two vessels in Mukalla," it added. It wasn't immediately clear if there were any casualties from the strike or if any other military besides Saudi Arabia's took part. The Saudi military said it conducted the attack overnight to make sure "no collateral damage occurred." The UAE did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the AP. The Council's AIC satellite news channel acknowledged the strikes, without offering details. The attack likely targeted a ship identified by analysts as the Greenland, a roll-on, roll-off vessel flagged out of St. Kitts. Tracking data analyzed by the AP showed the vessel had been in Fujairah on Dec. 22 and arrived in Mukalla on Sunday. The second vessel could not be immediately identified. Mohammed al-Basha, a Yemen expert and the founder of the Basha Report, a risk advisory firm, cited social media videos which purported to show new armored vehicles rolling through Mukalla after the ship's arrival. The ship's owners, based in Dubai, could not be immediately reached. "I expect a calibrated escalation from both sides. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council is likely to respond by consolidating control," al-Basha said. "At the same time, the flow of weapons from the UAE to the STC is set to be curtailed following the port attack, particularly as Saudi Arabia controls the airspace." Footage later aired by Saudi state television, which appeared to be filmed by a surveillance aircraft, purportedly showed the armored vehicles moving through Mukalla to a staging area. The types of vehicles corresponded to the social media footage. Mukalla is in Yemen's Hadramout governorate, which the Council had seized in recent days. The port city is some 480 kilometers (300 miles) northeast of Aden, which has been the seat of power for anti-Houthi forces in Yemen after the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, back in 2014. The strike in Mukalla comes after Saudi Arabia targeted the Council in airstrikes Friday that analysts described as a warning for the separatists to halt their advance and leave the governorates of Hadramout and Mahra. The Council had pushed out forces there affiliated with the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces, another group in the coalition fighting the Houthis. Those aligned with the Council have increasingly flown the flag of South Yemen, which was a separate country from 1967-1990. Demonstrators have been rallying for days to support political forces calling for South Yemen to secede again from Yemen. The actions by the separatists have put pressure on the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which maintain close relations and are members of the OPEC oil cartel, but also have competed for influence and international business in recent years. There has also been an escalation of violence in Sudan, another nation on the Red Sea, where the kingdom and the Emirates support opposing forces in that country's ongoing war. Meanwhile, Israel has acknowledged Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation, the first to do so in over 30 years. That's sparked concern from the Houthis, who have threatened to attack any Israeli presence in Somaliland.

A growing number of nations on Saturday denounced Israel’s recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state, following the first such recognition by any country in over three decades. Israel made the announcement Friday, though the reasons behind the move and whether any benefits were expected remain unclear. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 amid ongoing conflict that has left the East African country fragile. Despite maintaining its own government and currency, Somaliland had not been recognized internationally until Israel’s decision. On Saturday, more than 20 countries—primarily from the Middle East and Africa—along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, issued a joint statement rejecting Israel’s recognition, citing serious repercussions for peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and beyond. Syria also separately rejected the move. Somaliland lies along the Gulf of Aden, near Djibouti, which hosts military bases of the U.S., China, France, and other nations. Earlier this year, U.S. and Israeli officials reportedly discussed resettling Palestinians from Gaza in Somaliland under former President Donald Trump’s plan, which has since been abandoned. The U.S. State Department reaffirmed its recognition of Somalia’s territorial integrity, including Somaliland. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi signed a joint declaration citing the Abraham Accords, the 2020 initiative that established diplomatic and commercial ties between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations. Somalia’s federal government condemned the move as illegal, reaffirming Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory. Regional bodies, including the African Union and IGAD, also rejected the recognition, warning that undermining Somalia’s sovereignty threatens peace and stability in Africa. Source: AP 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday said Iran is engaged in what he described as a comprehensive war with the United States, Israel and European countries, comments made ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. In an interview published on the website of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Pezeshkian said the current confrontation is more severe than Iran’s eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s, which resulted in more than one million casualties on both sides. “We are facing a full-scale war with the U.S., Israel and Europe,” Pezeshkian said, adding that Western powers are seeking to destabilize Iran. He described the present conflict as more complex and challenging than the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq war. Iran seizes foreign oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz His remarks came just days before Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where discussions with Trump are expected to focus heavily on Iran. Tensions have escalated following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran during a 12-day aerial conflict in June, which Iranian authorities said killed nearly 1,100 people, including senior military officials and nuclear scientists. Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks reportedly killed 28 people in Israel.

Lebanon’s Cabinet on Friday approved a draft law aimed at assessing losses from the 2019 banking collapse and establishing a mechanism to return funds to depositors whose savings were wiped out. The financial meltdown, which destroyed billions in personal savings, followed decades of corruption, mismanagement, and profiteering, leaving many unable to access their accounts. The draft legislation, known as the “financial gap law,” still requires parliamentary approval to become law. Thirteen ministers supported the draft while nine opposed it. Protesters outside the government headquarters expressed skepticism about the legislation and demanded swift action. It remains uncertain when parliament will consider the bill, as delays have marked previous reform efforts. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that once approved, smaller depositors, making up 85% of the total, will recover their full deposits over four years. Larger depositors will receive up to $100,000 in cash first, with the remainder converted into tradable bonds backed by the Central Bank’s assets, valued at around $50 billion. Salam rejected claims that the bonds are worthless, explaining that large depositors could recover a portion of their funds annually. The draft law also includes accountability measures to prevent misuse and is seen as a step toward restructuring Lebanon’s financial sector after years of inaction by political leaders, banks, and the central bank. The legislation aligns with International Monetary Fund recommendations for returning deposits, restructuring bank liabilities, and improving transparency. Lebanon’s economy has suffered a severe currency collapse, with the Lebanese pound losing over 90% of its value and more than half of the population living in poverty. The crisis was worsened by last year’s war between Israel and Hezbollah, which the World Bank estimated cost Lebanon $11 billion in reconstruction. President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Salam have pledged to implement reforms to restore trust in the banking system and stabilize the economy.

At least eight people were killed and 18 others injured in a bombing at the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Homs during Friday prayers, Syrian authorities reported. State-run Arab News Agency images showed blood-stained carpets, shattered windows, holes in the walls, and fire damage inside the mosque, which is located in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood, predominantly inhabited by the Alawite minority. Preliminary investigations suggest that explosive devices had been planted inside the mosque, according to a security source cited by SANA. Syrian Interior Ministry officials said security forces established a cordon around the site and are searching for the attackers. Local officials condemned the attack, describing it as “a desperate attempt to undermine security and sow chaos among the Syrian people.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to combating terrorism in all forms. Syrian Information Minister added that remnants of the former regime, ISIS militants, and collaborators seek to destabilize the country and threaten civil peace. Neighboring states, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Lebanon, also condemned the bombing. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s support for Syria’s fight against terrorism. The attack comes amid continuing sectarian, ethnic, and political tensions across Syria. Recent clashes between government forces and Kurdish-led fighters in northern Aleppo have prompted temporary school closures and forced civilians to shelter indoors, though a ceasefire was announced later on Monday. Source: AP 

Iranian authorities have seized a foreign oil tanker in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, state media reported Friday. According to Mojtaba Ghahramani, a provincial justice department chief, the tanker was carrying approximately 4 million liters, or 25,000 barrels, of smuggled fuel when it was intercepted by Revolutionary Guard naval forces, the IRNA news agency said. Sixteen foreign crew members were also detained during the operation, which Ghahramani described as a significant “blow” to fuel smugglers. He did not provide details on the vessel’s flag or the crew’s nationalities. Iran has periodically seized oil tankers in the region on similar grounds. Last November, authorities detained another vessel in the Strait of Hormuz over alleged violations, including transporting illicit cargo. The West has accused Iran of past attacks on tankers, including limpet mine incidents in 2019 and a 2021 drone strike on an Israeli-linked oil tanker that killed two European crew members, following the U.S. withdrawal from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal. In April 2024, Iran also seized the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship MSC Aries. Amid long-standing tensions with the West and regional conflicts, including June’s 12-day war with Israel, Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for 20% of global oil trade. The U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet regularly patrols the area to ensure the waterways remain open. Source: AP 

Southern Yemen separatists on Friday accused Saudi Arabia of launching airstrikes against their forces in the eastern governorate of Hadramout, further raising tensions in the conflict-hit country. The Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates, said the strikes targeted its fighters after clashes in the area. Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the allegation. Amr Al Bidh, a foreign affairs representative of the Council, told The Associated Press that its forces were operating in eastern Hadramout when they came under multiple ambushes by gunmen. He said two fighters were killed and 12 others wounded before the alleged Saudi airstrikes took place. A tribal leader in Hadramout, Faez bin Omar, said the strikes appeared to be a warning for the Council to withdraw its forces from the area. An eyewitness said several military vehicles were destroyed and were believed to belong to forces aligned with the separatists. The Council’s satellite television channel aired video footage it said showed the aftermath of the strikes, with a voice blaming Saudi aircraft for the attack. The accusations came a day after Saudi Arabia urged the Emirati-backed separatists to pull out of areas they recently entered. Earlier this month, the Council moved into Hadramout and Mahra, displacing forces linked to the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces, another member of the coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The developments have increased strain between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, close allies who support different factions in Yemen. The UAE said on Friday it welcomed Saudi efforts to support security and stability in Yemen and reaffirmed its commitment to stability and development in the country. Yemen has been locked in war since 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and forced the internationally recognized government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015, but years of fighting have killed more than 150,000 people and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Renewed fighting in southern Yemen risks further destabilizing the country, while the Houthis continue attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, adding to regional tensions.  

Saudi Arabia on Thursday urged Emirati-backed separatists in southern Yemen to withdraw from Hadramout and Mahra governorates, warning that their presence threatens the stability of the fragile coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the north. The Southern Transitional Council, long supported by the UAE, moved into the two governorates earlier this month. Saudi authorities called for the council’s forces to return to previous positions and hand over camps to the National Shield Forces, aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The Saudi statement criticized the separatists’ actions as an “unjustified escalation” harming both the southern cause and coalition efforts. Local Hadramout officials backed the call for withdrawal. Demonstrators in Aden waved the flag of the former South Yemen, reflecting ongoing secessionist sentiments. The move strains Saudi-UAE relations, which, despite shared OPEC membership, have competed for regional influence. Yemen’s civil war, ongoing since the Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014, has caused over 150,000 deaths and a humanitarian crisis. The Houthis have also disrupted Red Sea shipping amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. U.S. forces previously targeted Houthi leaders, including top missile and drone commander Maj. Gen. Zakaria Hajar. Escalation in southern Yemen risks further instability and could draw renewed international intervention.

An explosion in Gaza on Wednesday injured an Israeli soldier, prompting Israel to accuse Hamas of violating the US-brokered ceasefire and raising fresh concerns over the fragile truce in place since Oct 10. Israel’s military said the blast went off beneath a military vehicle as troops were dismantling militant infrastructure in the southern city of Rafah. The soldier sustained light injuries and was taken to hospital. Hamas rejected responsibility, saying the explosion was caused by unexploded ordnance left behind from earlier fighting and that mediators had been informed. Israel’s military dismissed the claim. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a ceasefire breach and said Israel would respond. The incident occurred as Hamas leaders met Turkish officials in Ankara to discuss moving to the second phase of the ceasefire, which has slowed despite largely holding. The next stage is expected to tackle sensitive issues, including further Israeli troop withdrawals, the future governance of Gaza, the deployment of an international stabilization force and the disarmament of Hamas. Since the truce began, all but one of the hostages taken in the Hamas-led Oct 7, 2023 attack have been released, alive or dead, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The family of the last hostage whose remains are still in Gaza urged that they be returned before talks advance. Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of ceasefire violations. Israel has previously carried out strikes following alleged attacks, while Hamas says Israel has restricted aid flows and continued strikes. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce began. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Haya, reaffirming Ankara’s support for Palestinian rights and humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Hamas officials said Israel’s actions were obstructing progress toward the next phase of the agreement. On the hostage issue, Israeli officials said talks were continuing with mediators in Cairo to secure the return of the remaining remains, as pressure mounts from the family and the public to resolve the issue before the ceasefire moves forward.