News

Clashes as part of the ‘Yemen Dawn’ operation continued for a fifth day, alongside intensive air strikes, fighting in Taiz and Marib, and Houthi attacks towards Saudi Arabia, while Yemen’s government forces announced that they had carried out 1729 military operations.

The United Nations said that nearly all of Gaza’s population, numbering around two million people, will spend the winter without adequate shelter. The statement comes as the Palestinian territory enters its fourth year under tight Israeli restrictions linked to the war.

The US Department of Defence has directed Central Command to complete preparations for the possible resumption of large-scale military operations against Iran, without setting a date for strikes or a final decision by President Donald Trump, as nuclear talks stall and contacts through Qatari mediators continue.

The Palestinian Authority has decided to postpone the legislative elections scheduled for 28 November 2026 after an official assessment concluded that the necessary conditions for holding them had not been met. The decision comes alongside an agreement among Palestinian factions on an initiative to delay the vote by one year, paving the way for the issuance of a presidential decree.

The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority announced that three citizens were killed and several citizens and residents injured in two attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday. One attack struck airport facilities, while the other targeted a Saudi Airlines aircraft parked on the ground. Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of responsibility.

Various parts of the West Bank saw arrests and raids by Israeli forces on Friday, alongside settler attacks targeting olive pickers, trees and vehicles. The developments included the arrest of 9 Palestinians in Hebron and death and arson threats against a resident, while Palestinian data recorded 2,051 attacks last September.

Reciprocal attacks between Russia and Ukraine have killed 3 people and injured others, while causing damage, fires and emergency power cuts. On the political front, two US envoys are preparing to discuss new ideas with Ukrainian and European negotiators in Miami, as Europe moves to increase support for Kyiv and tighten sanctions on Moscow.

On Thursday, Israeli forces carried out air raids, artillery shelling and demolition and blast operations in the districts of Tyre, Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun, amid drone flights and sweeping operations. Separately, the Israeli army announced that an officer had been killed and three soldiers injured when a military vehicle overturned in southern Lebanon.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung announced the successful first launch test of a hypersonic missile developed by his country using domestic technology, which the presidential office described as a strategic gain. The test came days after North Korea announced a test of a medium-range ballistic missile incorporating artificial intelligence technology.

US President Donald Trump accused Somali immigrants of taking control of Minnesota and spreading violence and disorder there, calling for federal intervention. State Attorney General Keith Ellison rejected his remarks, while official data show that about 92% of Somali Americans are US citizens.

Yemen’s Taiz is facing severe shortages of fuel and food since the Al-Bireen route and other access points were closed on 4 October 2026, amid rapidly rising prices and disrupted supplies. The Statistics Office says the road closures affected 2.8 million people, while around 140,000 people have been displaced from front lines.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin would increase pressure on Russia’s war economy and its supporters through new sanctions, following attacks that killed civilians in Ukraine. The European Union is working on a package targeting individuals and companies, while allocating an additional €1.2 billion for Ukrainian air defence.

From 9 to 11 October, actions called by the Global Alliance for Palestine will take place at hundreds of locations worldwide to mark the third anniversary of the war on Gaza, demanding protection for Palestinians and accountability for those responsible for violations, amid continued casualties despite a ceasefire agreement.

London and Tel Aviv have reached an agreement to rename the British consulate in Jerusalem as a mission and reduce its staff, while keeping it independent of the British embassy in Tel Aviv. The agreement followed an Israeli threat to close the consulate in response to British plans targeting trade with, and services linked to, settlements in the West Bank.

Aircraft belonging to the Yemeni armed forces targeted Houthi positions in Al-Shamayateen district, south of Taiz, as part of Operation Dawn of Yemen. The forces announced that they had carried out 1,729 targeting operations on several fronts, while advancing along the western coast and, according to their statements, taking control of positions overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Opinion polls point to major Democratic gains in the 2026 US midterm elections, potentially giving the party its largest House majority in 18 years. However, repeated underestimation of Donald Trump's support, along with differences in turnout models, has raised doubts about the accuracy of these projections.

US President Donald Trump is expected to award Elon Musk the National Medal of Science, as the billionaire makes repeated appearances at the White House and the two resume their relationship after a public dispute over tariffs, federal spending and the budget bill in 2025.

Analysts say the absence of a military victory and the Sudanese warring parties’ dependence on external support are obstructing settlement efforts. They stress that pressuring the parties providing support, halting arms flows and beginning humanitarian truces could pave the way for a political solution, as displacement, food and health crises worsen.

The Israeli army announced that an officer was killed and three soldiers injured after a military vehicle overturned in southern Lebanon, while two other soldiers sustained minor injuries in a separate incident that Israel’s public broadcaster said resulted from improper use of ammunition.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow agreed with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assessment that there were no immediate prospects for settling the war in Ukraine through negotiations, stressing that Russia remained committed to a comprehensive, long-term solution rather than partial initiatives addressing specific sectors.

Residents of towns in southern Lebanon are facing difficulties returning to their homes despite the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Western Zoutar under a US-backed plan. A crisis of services and widespread destruction coincides with continued shelling and demolition operations, while President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of violating the framework agreement and Hezbollah called for its withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Concern is growing within NATO that European defence spending could slow under pressure from the cost of living and the rise of right-wing parties opposed to increasing military budgets or supporting Kyiv. This could hinder the alliance’s goal of spending on defence and security by 2035 and affect capabilities allocated to deterring Russia and supporting Ukraine.

The European Union has called on its member states to provide more warships to escort commercial vessels through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the Aspides mission needs at least 10 ships, as requests for protection increase amid escalating Houthi activity and disrupted maritime traffic.