Israel – European Neighbourhood Monitor

Middle East Conflict Reignites as Israel-Iran Strikes Target Critical Infrastructure

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran collapsed overnight, reigniting fears of a broader regional conflict and sending shockwaves through global energy markets after both sides exchanged direct military strikes targeting strategic infrastructure. According to reports, Tehran accused Israel of carrying out an attack in Beirut, prompting a retaliatory response from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard […]

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Turkey Is Determined to Stay Out of the Iran War

Middle East / ENM

Turkey has multiple reasons to be wary of the escalating conflict in Iran: the potential refugee crisis, disruptions to oil and gas supplies, impacts on trade, and losses in tourism. Above all, Ankara prefers to stay out of the fighting and maintain a role as a neutral mediator. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made this

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Israel approves expansion of Leviathan gas production for exports to Egypt

Middle East / ENM

The Israeli government has approved a plan to expand natural gas production at the Leviathan field in the eastern Mediterranean, enabling a significant increase in gas exports to Egypt over the coming decades. Leviathan, Israel’s largest offshore gas field, is operated by a consortium led by Chevron, alongside NewMed Energy and Ratio Energies. The newly

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Tensions in Yemen on the rise

Middle East / ENM

According to Israeli officials cited by The Times of Israel, an airstrike conducted late last week in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a was aimed at Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari, the Chief of Staff of the Houthi military. The Israeli military has not confirmed the outcome of the operation, but officials claim the strike coincided with

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EU Sidelined as Iran-Israel Peace Deal Unfolds Without European Input

Middle East / ENM

A surprise ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel, announced late Sunday, appears to have been brokered primarily through U.S.-led diplomacy—without direct involvement from the European Union. The development has drawn attention to the EU’s limited role in the recent escalation and subsequent de-escalation in the region. On the same evening the agreement was revealed, Dutch

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Israel Intercepts Aid Ship Bound for Gaza

Middle East / ENM

A British vessel carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza was intercepted by Israeli forces late Sunday night in international waters. Among those on board was climate activist Greta Thunberg. The incident has sparked international criticism and raised questions over maritime law. The Madleen, a British ship organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was stopped approximately

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Borrell warns Israel and Lebanon on the brink of war

Middle East / ENM

EU foreign chief Josep Borrell (picture) has called the escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel ‘very dangerous and worrying’. ‘Israel and Lebanon are on the brink of all-out war,’ he warned. The European Union foreign secretary said he remained committed to de-escalating the situation in Lebanon. ‘But our worst expectations are coming true,’

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“The end of the EastMed pipeline?”

Middle East / ENM

Francesco Sassi, a Research Fellow Energy Geopolitics & Markets at Ricerche Industriali ed Energetiche in Bologna, discusses how Cyprus has announced the plan for linking its major gas reservoirs to Israel’s east Mediterranean gas fields. He comments: “It seems both Israeli PM Netanyahu and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides back the project, talks are to start

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Lars Patrick Berg MEP: UN lawsuit may embolden antisemitism

Middle East / ENM

An analysis in Newsweek cites German Member of European Parliament Lars Patrick Berg about a request by the United Nations’ for an opinion by the International Court of Justice now on “the legal status of the occupation”. The article is authored by international security expert Aynur Bashirova. She is the European desk coordinator of the Israel-based

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“Agreement to develop Gaza’s offshore natural gas field”

Middle East / ENM

Earlier this month, a deal was agreed to develop Gaza’s offshore natural gas field, Reuters reports. The deal signifies a boost for the economy of the Palestinians living in Gaza. The Gaza Marine field is around 20 miles removed from the Gaza coast. Israel’s blockage has restricted its development, even if until 2018, the project

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