Human rights

Mahdi Farid, who was convicted of espionage for Israel’s Mossad, was executed after his death sentence was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court, Tehran, Iran, April 22, 2026.

Iran executes 14th person since war over alleged Mossad ties: What to know

Iran has carried out multiple executions since the outbreak of the war with the United States and Israel, as it intensifies a crackdown on individuals accused of spying for Israel.

Olmert

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.

MOJAHID NAW/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

'Apartheid': Arab countries including UAE, Jordan decry new Israeli law

A group of foreign ministers struck out at a new Israeli law requiring the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorism in military courts.

Osama Al Maqdoni / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Amid chatter of local uprisings, eyes turn to Iran's minorities: What to know

Ethnic minorities in Iran, historically marginalized and repressed by Iran's central government, are gaining attention as potential political actors amid escalating US and Israeli strikes.

Latest News

'No meaningful protection': Israel’s new Gaza aid rules raise data, security risks

People walk through a heavily damaged street in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Oct. 12, 2025.

UN points to 'genocidal path' in RSF assault on Sudan’s El-Fasher

A displaced Sudanese woman who left El-Fasher after its fall with others, walks amid the remains of a fire that broke out at a camp in Tawila on Feb. 11, 2026.

Iran fires TV director over 'Death to Khamenei' blunder: What to know

TOPSHOT - An Iranian crosses a street next to a billboard bearing the portrait of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a quote reads in Persian 'Sing Oh Iran' at the Enqelab Square in Tehran on July, 9, 2025. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran arrests Oscar-nominated writer, civil rights figures in expanding crackdown

A state building is covered with a giant anti-US billboard depicting a symbolic image of the destroyed USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Turkey’s parliament ejects jailed lawmaker Can Atalay, defying top court

With the ejection, lawmakers from the Turkish president’s ruling coalition unprecedentedly defied the country’s highest court.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 24: Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves 10, Downing Street after meeting Britain's Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, on March 24, 2023 in London, England. Benjamin Netanyahu visits London against a backdrop of unrest at home. Protest are being held weekly across Israel against legislation neing pushed through the Knesset by his government to restain the judiciary. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Analysis

Netanyahu isolated, threatened by Gaza deal on eve of Mossad-CIA-Qatar talks

With American, Egyptian, Israeli and Qatari officials closer to a deal, Netanyahu may soon have to choose between the hostages in Gaza and the hard-liners holding him hostage.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Palestinians stand amidst the rubble of a mosque and buildings which collapsed during Israeli bombardment around the town city of Rafah southern Gaza Strip on January 24, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel’s war cabinet considers Gaza cease-fire, hostage deal as ICJ ruling looms

Reports on Friday revealed that CIA Chief William Burns will meet in a European capital this weekend with Qatari, Israeli and Egyptian officials to try to unblock a deal for a cease-fire and the release of all the hostages held in Gaza.

Mohammad Ghobadlou

Outcry as Iran executes young protester with mental illness: judiciary

Mohammad Ghobadlou, who had allegedly a history of mental illness, was hanged in an Iranian prison in relation to his role in the 2022 nationwide protests.

An Israeli soldier stops a driver at a checkpoint at the entrance of the Palestinian village of Orif, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on June 22, 2023, following an incursion by Israeli forces into the village. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP) (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)

In West Bank, Israeli army ramps ups WhatsApp surveillance of Palestinians

No sense of privacy remains in Israel's checkpoints in the West Bank, where civilians face increasing intrusions into their digital lives and social media apps.

OLAF KRAAK/AFP via Getty Images

Israel rejects South Africa's genocide charge at ICJ as 'grossly distorted'

On the second day of hearings at the International Court of Justice, Israel rejected the court's jurisdiction and accused Hamas of genocidal acts.

Judges enter the courtroom prior to the verdict in the case against Japanese whaling at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the Netherlands, on March 31, 2014. The UN's top International Court of Justice will rule today whether Japan has the right to hunt whales in the Antarctic, in an emotive case activists say is make-or-break for the giant mammal's future. AFP PHOTO / ANP / MARTIJN BEEKMAN ***Netherlands out*** (Photo credit should read Martijn Beekman/AFP via Getty Images)

What is next at ICJ as South Africa opens Israeli genocide case?

South African lawyers and legal experts presented to the International Court of Justice in the Hague their arguments, claiming that Israel is carrying out genocide against Gazan population.

People raise flags and placards as they gather around a statue of late South African president Nelson Mandela to celebrate a landmark "genocide" case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice, in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on January 10, 2024.

How is Middle East reacting to South Africa's Gaza genocide ICJ case against Israel?

Several Arab countries have publically announced their support for South Africa’s genocide case filed against Israel at the ICJ.

an overview of the buildings of the International Criminal Court ICC CPI in The Hague.

Analysis

What to expect as Israel, South Africa face off over Gaza genocide case at ICJ

Israel and South Africa are both gearing up for a much-mediatized hearing at the International Court of Justice in the Hague over the IDF military campaign in Gaza.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

Journalist Wael Dahdouh 'the mountain' inspires Gaza through tragedy

Al Jazeera's bureau chief in Gaza has lost most of his family members and relatives, but is determined to continue covering the Israeli bombardment of the enclave.

A general view of the International Court of Justice during a public hearing, The Hague, June 6, 2023.

Will South Africa be successful in its Gaza genocide case against Israel?

Israel has selected a British lawyer to represent it against the South African complaint to the International Court of Justice.

11/24/2023 Tehran, Iran. Two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) armed military personnel are monitoring an area while standing guard next to an Iranian Majid anti-aircraft missile system during the Ela Beit Al-Moghaddas (Al-Aqsa Mosque) military rally in Tehran, Iran. (Photo by Hossein Beris / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by HOSSEIN BERIS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

2023 in review: Iran sees opportunity in Gaza war, steps up crackdown at home

Iran's theocratic establishment engaged in a flurry of foreign diplomacy to try to ease the international isolation it is facing, while at home it intensified its crackdown on dissent.