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Israeli forces have fired teargas at Palestinian schoolchildren who were staging a sit-in in the occupied West Bank after settlers blocked access to their school. The incident occurred in the village of Umm al-Khair, in the southern West Bank region of Masafer Yatta.The schoolchildren, who had been due back in class on Monday for the first time in more than 40 days, had gathered near a barbed wire fence erected by Israeli settlers. The fence blocked access to the school, prompting the children and some local adults to hold an open-air class as a sit-in to demand access. Israeli troops responded by firing teargas at the protesters.Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with children screaming and fleeing after the teargas canisters were fired. A 12-year-old girl, Sarah al-Hathaleen, recounted her experience: “We were sitting and they threw a grenade [teargas canister] at us. I got scared and started screaming and ran away.”The Israeli military stated that they had dispersed an “unusual gathering” but did not specify whether they had fired teargas. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the West Bank, particularly in the Masafer Yatta region, which is a known hotspot for settler violence and Palestinian home demolitions.The Masafer Yatta region has seen increased violence since the outbreak of the Iran war. More than 500,000 Israelis now live in settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law, among about 3 million Palestinians. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.

Israel's military actions and strategies in Gaza have raised concerns about its potential plans for Lebanon. The region has been experiencing increased tensions, with fears of a wider conflict. Understanding the geopolitical dynamics at play is crucial as the situation continues to unfold.The Guardian's video explainer, 'The ‘Gaza playbook’: what are Israel’s plans for Lebanon?', delves into these issues, providing insights into Israel's military approach and its implications for Lebanon.Escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon have been a point of concern for international observers, with the potential for a broader conflict in the region. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing diplomatic efforts to mitigate the crisis.

While the two‑week pause in the US‑Israel campaign against Iran remains uncertain, one constant is clear: Donald Trump lacks a concrete plan, but Benjamin Netanyahu does. The war’s stated aim – to cripple Iran’s state capacity – is only a stepping stone toward a larger vision of a Greater Israel. For Israel’s right‑wing, the phrase often evokes a purely territorial ambition: enlarging the land Israel claims. History shows this expansionist drive has repeatedly displaced Palestinians, a process that has accelerated dramatically in recent years. Since the war began, Israel has flattened Gaza, killing tens of thousands and reducing the civilian‑inhabitable area to roughly 12 % of its pre‑war size. In the West Bank, a wave of settlement expansion and property destruction rivals the scale of the 1967 conflict. Beyond the occupied territories, Israel has seized parts of Syria and is forging a de‑facto occupation zone in southern Lebanon, with ministers from Religious Zionism, Jewish Power and Likud openly demanding Israeli sovereignty there. Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich even called for an expansion “to Damascus,” and Netanyahu has publicly expressed a deep personal connection to this territorial vision. However, Greater Israel is as much a geopolitical and strategic construct as a land‑grab. Netanyahu’s ambition extends beyond occupying borders; he seeks a regional dominion built on new alliances and hard‑power dependencies. After the October 7 attacks and the ensuing Gaza devastation, Israel’s prospects for Arab‑state normalization stalled. Faced with a choice between a conciliatory approach and a zero‑sum rejection of a Palestinian future, Netanyahu chose the latter, aiming to eliminate Iran as a regional counterweight – a move that inevitably required massive US military involvement. Former Israeli security analysts note that, from the perspective of Sunni Gulf states, a weakened Iran would elevate Israel to the role of “dominant regional power.” Achieving this, according to the article, also means softening the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) and making them dependent on Israel for security and energy routes. The spill‑over of Iranian drone and missile attacks on GCC infrastructure is portrayed not as an accident but as a calculated element of Israel’s strategy. When the US‑Israel coalition struck Iranian energy sites, Iran retaliated against the Gulf, disrupting global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu seized the moment to propose “alternative routes” – oil and gas pipelines that would bypass Hormuz and Bab‑al‑Mandab, ending at Israeli Mediterranean ports. In a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Netanyahu outlined a “hexagon of alliances” linking India, Arab nations, African states, Greece, Cyprus and other Asian partners, positioning Israel as the central hub. Recent IDF strategy papers echo this, suggesting Israel could achieve “operational control” far beyond its borders without permanent occupation, likening the Middle East to a “jungle” where Israel would become the “queen.” Netanyahu now describes Israel not merely as a “regional superpower” but, in some contexts, as a “global superpower.” He promises the hexagonal alliance will confront a “radical Shia axis” and an “emerging radical Sunni axis,” with Turkey singled out as the next strategic threat. Dismissal of the Greater Israel rhetoric as wartime hyperbole would be misleading. The article warns that a permanent war‑oriented mindset permeates Israel’s political elite, security establishment and media, posing a risk of overreach and regional blowback. Containing this expansive vision may become one of the most pressing post‑war challenges for the Middle East.

The ongoing US-Israel war on Iran has taken a critical turn with Donald Trump's announcement that the US Navy would start blockading the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway is crucial for global oil shipments, and any disruption could have significant economic impacts. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned that approaching military vessels to the strait would be considered a violation of the ceasefire. This development has led to a surge in oil prices, with US crude oil rising 8% to $104.24 a barrel and Brent crude oil increasing 7% to $102.29. The blockade, set to begin on Monday morning, will be implemented by US Central Command (Centcom) and will affect all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports. This move is part of a broader strategy that may include resuming limited military strikes in Iran, according to reports. The situation has drawn international attention, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating that his government has not been asked to participate in the blockade and is keen on continuing negotiations between the US and Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed Trump's threats, asserting that they would have no effect on the Iranian nation.

The ongoing conflict in Iran has created a perilous situation where the threat of nuclear war and climate disruption have converged into a single, catastrophic crisis. This crisis will persist long after the war subsides, emphasizing the need for immediate and decisive action. For over a decade, climate change has been recognized not just as an environmental issue but as a fundamental threat to national and global security. The current situation demands that governments conduct thorough risk assessments and treat climate change with the same urgency as military threats. The war on Iran has several alarming features: Unilateral action: The US and Israel launched a large-scale war against a sovereign nation without consulting major allies, creating a diplomatically isolated conflict with no clear exit strategy. Escalation threats: There are credible threats of escalation from both sides, with Donald Trump issuing ultimatums and Iran threatening to target critical infrastructure. Catastrophic miscalculation: The conditions for miscalculation are ripe, with erratic leadership, intelligence failures, and extreme pressure on decision-makers. The conflict has significant implications: Global energy shock: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused an acute global energy shock, with higher oil prices likely to accelerate inflation and economic instability. Climate impact: The war is consuming military resources and political attention, with no climate dividend, and may pressure countries to extend fossil fuel use. Australia, as a regional power and signatory to the NPT, has responsibilities to the international order. The author, Admiral Chris Barrie, calls on the Australian government to take four key steps: Conduct and release a nuclear escalation risk assessment. Use diplomatic channels to counsel restraint. Refuse any form of complicity in nuclear use. Champion de-escalation at the NPT review conference. Australia can play a crucial role in addressing these threats by acting on evidence, speaking plainly about risks, and leading rather than following events.

How shaky is the Iran‑US ceasefire? The question underscores growing concerns among analysts about the durability of the truce that has held between Tehran and Washington since the latest diplomatic outreach.While the ceasefire has prevented direct military clashes, underlying mistrust and competing strategic interests continue to cast doubt on its long‑term viability. Observers point to recent diplomatic exchanges, economic sanctions, and regional proxy activities as potential flashpoints that could reignite hostilities.Experts caution that any misstep—whether a perceived violation of the agreement or an escalation in proxy conflicts—could quickly erode the fragile peace, prompting a renewed cycle of confrontation that would affect not only the two nations but also the broader stability of the Middle East.

The article from Al Jazeera outlines the people who lost their lives in Lebanon as a result of Israeli military action on a single day, emphasizing the personal tragedies behind the headline numbers. By naming each victim, the report seeks to humanize the casualties and draw attention to the broader humanitarian consequences of the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.While specific details such as ages, occupations, or hometowns are listed in the original piece, the overarching message is clear: the conflict’s impact is deeply personal, affecting families and communities across the region. These individual stories serve as a stark reminder of the cost of continued violence and underscore calls for de‑escalation and protection of civilians.

A devastating air strike by the Nigerian military on a village market in northeastern Nigeria has killed dozens and injured hundreds, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation. The strike, which occurred on Sunday, was aimed at members of the rebel group Boko Haram.According to Amnesty International, over 100 people were killed and 35 others wounded in the attack on the Jilli village market in Yobe state. A local chief, Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, reported that the total casualties, including dead and injured, were around 200.The Nigerian Air Force claimed to have killed Boko Haram fighters in an air strike on the Jilli axis in Borno state, but did not mention hitting a market. The government of Yobe state later confirmed that an air strike near a market had been conducted, affecting people attending the weekly market.Amnesty International condemned the strike, stating that launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method and that the Nigerian military's actions demonstrate a shocking disregard for human life. The organization called on Nigerian authorities to immediately investigate the incident and hold suspected perpetrators accountable.The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) activated the emergency response, and many of the injured were taken to hospitals in nearby Geidam and Maiduguri. A worker at the Geidam General Hospital reported that at least 23 people injured in the incident were receiving treatment.

The recent conflict between Iran and Israel has sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East, raising concerns about the potential for a wider regional war. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as the involvement of other countries could lead to severe consequences. Iran's military actions against Israel have been a significant escalation, marking a new phase in the longstanding tensions between the two nations. The incident has sparked fears of a broader conflict, drawing in other regional players and potentially leading to a larger-scale war. The global implications of such a conflict are profound, with potential disruptions to oil supplies, impacts on global markets, and a shift in the regional balance of power. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains on high alert, urging restraint and diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation.