Briefing Note – Iran Crisis – Monitor #6
International Crisis Group / May 19, 2026
In this weekly update, Crisis Group experts take stock of developments in the Middle East war and the...
Jewish settlers rampage through West Bank villages under army protection
Sofia Aboudari
The New Arab / May 18, 2026
Jewish settlers launched coordinated attacks across several Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank under army protection.
Jewish...
Trump claims he cancelled planned attack on Iran at request of Gulf states
Shireen Akram-Boshar
Truthout / May 18, 2026
Trump said the US military is “prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran” if...
‘It fails under testing, but it’s what we have’: ban forces Palestinians to make...
Mohamed Solaimane
The Guardian / May 18, 2026
With Israel blocking imports of building materials, those rebuilding in Gaza are recycling ruins to make new homes.
Khan...
‘Shackled, blindfolded and abused’: Palestinian women detail arrests, night raids and inhumane conditions inside...
Sally Ibrahim
The New Arab / May 18, 2026
Released Palestinian women describe months in Damon Prison marked by overcrowding, night raids and psychological pressure, with...
Why the Iran war is breaking the US‑European strategic alliance
Farah N. Jan
The Conversation / May 18, 2026
Days after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28, 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro...
Israel enacts death penalty law for Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank
Shireen Akram-Boshar
Truthout / May 18, 2026
The law formalizes “the systematic, state-sanctioned killing of Palestinian detainees,” human rights advocates warned.
Israel’s death penalty law for Palestinian...
Has Trump torpedoed the ICC’s Gaza probe ?
Maureen Clare Murphy
The Electronic Intifada / May 18, 2026
“I am very proud that we are sanctioned,” Raji Sourani, the director of the Palestinian Center...
Lebanon prepares for Pentagon talks as fears grow over army-Hezbollah confrontation
Rita El Jammal & Sarah Khalil
The New Arab / May 18, 2026
US-backed Pentagon talks with Israel raise fears that the Lebanese army will be...
Israel advances plan to seize Palestinian property near Al-Aqsa Mosque
Samah Watad
Middle East Eye / May 18, 2026
New committee to implement historic confiscation orders in Jerusalem’s Old City as Palestinians warn of efforts to...
