Israeli forces have arrested Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abbasi, the Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. The report said Al-Abbasi was detained from inside the mosque compound without explanation. The arrest occurred on Monday, as cited by local sources.

The report noted that Israeli measures around the Al-Aqsa Mosque have recently become more stringent. Restrictions have been imposed on imams, preachers, and worshippers, including limits on entry to the mosque. The arrest followed an earlier order by Israeli authorities banning Al-Abbasi from entering the mosque compound for one week, with the possibility of renewal.

Before his detention, Al-Abbasi said he had not been informed of the reason for the ban. He expressed deep distress over the decision, especially after returning to duty following a year-long recovery from a serious road accident. The incident comes as large numbers of Palestinian worshippers prepare to gather at Al-Aqsa during Ramadan.

The United States has deployed more than 50 fighter jets to the Middle East within a single day, according to flight tracking data released on Wednesday, February 17. The deployment includes F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning II, and F-16 Fighting Falcons, along with several refueling aircraft capable of supporting other airborne operations. A U.S. official told Axios that the aircraft were moved to the region within the past 24 hours.

The move comes as preparations are underway in Geneva, Switzerland, for renewed discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. Observers view the increased U.S. military presence as significant given the timing of these diplomatic efforts. The United States had previously deployed a large naval fleet, including aircraft carriers, to the region.

The buildup follows widespread anti-government protests in Iran in January, which were forcefully suppressed by Iranian security forces. Citing allegations of lethal force against protesters, the United States has been strengthening its military posture around Iran.

Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for several hours on Tuesday, according to the country’s state media. The closure was described as a partial shutdown of one of the world’s most critical oil export routes. It remains unclear whether the strait has fully resumed normal operations following the temporary restriction.

State media reported that the measure was taken to ensure the safety of maritime traffic during a military exercise conducted by Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the area. The drills coincided with the temporary closure, which officials characterized as a precautionary step.

The Strait of Hormuz holds major strategic importance for global trade and energy supply, as a significant portion of Middle Eastern oil exports pass through this narrow waterway to reach international markets.

Muslims in Saudi Arabia began fasting on Wednesday after the country's authorities confirmed the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon on Tuesday evening. The announcement followed sunset at 6:41 p.m. local time, when officials in the Eastern Province reported the start of the 1447 Hijri Ramadan moon sighting. Observation teams monitored the sky to verify the beginning of the holy month before the confirmation was made.

According to a report published by the English-language outlet Gulf News from the United Arab Emirates, most Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, also began fasting on Wednesday after eating their pre-dawn meal the previous night. The confirmation marked the official start of Ramadan across much of the region.

The synchronized start of fasting across Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries underscores the shared religious observance and coordination among Islamic authorities in the Middle East during the holy month.

Saudi Arabia has announced the sighting of the moon marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan for the Hijri year 1447. The government made the declaration on Tuesday evening, confirming that fasting will commence across the country and the wider Middle East from Wednesday, February 18.

According to Saudi media reports citing official sources, the moon was sighted on Tuesday, prompting the formal start of Ramadan. The announcement aligns with the traditional lunar observation that determines the beginning of the Islamic fasting month.

In Bangladesh, the national moon-sighting committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to determine whether the crescent moon is visible. If confirmed, Ramadan will begin there on Thursday.

At least five people were killed and four others injured when a fire broke out in a five-storey residential building in Manlleu, a city in Spain’s northeastern province of Barcelona, on Monday evening. According to local authorities, the blaze started on the roof floor, prompting a rapid response from the Catalan fire service. Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control within about half an hour, but five people on the upper floor were found dead.

The four injured individuals were taken to a nearby hospital, though officials have not released details about the severity of their conditions. Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, with local patrol units assisting in the inquiry. Authorities are also working to identify the victims.

Officials confirmed that other residents of the building were safely evacuated, and assessments are underway to determine the extent of structural damage caused by the blaze.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he expects Ukraine to reach a quick agreement with Russia during talks scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva. The discussions are being held under U.S. mediation and aim to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and restore peace. Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Washington.

The Geneva meeting is focused on achieving a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has continued despite multiple international efforts. Trump emphasized that Ukraine should come to the negotiating table quickly and finalize a deal with Moscow. His comments came as anticipation builds around the U.S.-brokered talks intended to halt hostilities and establish stability in the region.

The outcome of the Geneva discussions could determine the next phase of diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Kyiv, with Washington playing a central mediating role.

At least 28 people were killed and many others injured in a drone strike on a market in Sudri, Kordofan, Sudan, according to the human rights group Emergency Lawyers on Monday, February 16. The attack occurred during a busy period on Sunday, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation. The group warned that the death toll could rise and described repeated drone strikes in populated areas as a grave disregard for civilian life. It urged all sides to immediately halt such attacks, claiming the strike came from army-operated drones.

Two unnamed military officials told the Associated Press that the army does not target civilian sites and denied any involvement in the incident. Just a week earlier, another drone strike near Rahad killed at least 24 people, including eight children, while a World Food Programme convoy was also attacked the previous day.

The conflict between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has escalated into a nationwide war. The World Health Organization reports at least 40,000 deaths and 12 million displaced people, with aid agencies warning the real figures may be higher.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday warned Iran that it would face consequences if it failed to reach an agreement in the upcoming talks. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington, Trump said he would be indirectly involved in the discussions and cautioned that Iran would not want to face the outcome of refusing a deal. The meeting between the United States and Iran is scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, mediated by Oman.

The talks come after months of heightened tensions following Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests and its firm stance on its nuclear program. The United States and several European countries have expressed concern that Iran’s nuclear activities could be aimed at developing weapons, an allegation Tehran continues to deny. Washington has also sought to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for armed groups in the Middle East in the negotiations.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that the U.S. position on the nuclear issue had become more realistic. A previous attempt at dialogue collapsed after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, sparking a 12-day war that later saw U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva to attend the second round of high-level nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026. US President Donald Trump said he would be ‘indirectly’ involved in the discussions, describing them as highly important and expressing belief that Iran was interested in reaching an agreement. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi is again serving as mediator.

In the first round of talks, held under Omani mediation, Tehran pledged to reduce uranium enrichment by 60 percent. Araghchi stated that Iran came to the second round with practical proposals aimed at achieving a ‘fair and balanced’ agreement. On the US side, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to participate, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that reaching a deal would not be easy despite diplomatic opportunities.

Ahead of the meeting, Iran reiterated that no agreement would be possible without easing sanctions and rejected any demand for zero uranium enrichment, insisting that any deal must be based on mutual concessions.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began a series of military exercises on Monday in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to the country’s state media. The drills are being conducted under the supervision of the IRGC’s top commander and involve naval forces operating in the key Gulf waterway.

The report from Tehran, citing AFP, noted that the exercises follow the recent deployment of a large U.S. naval fleet in the Gulf region. Iranian state television said the maneuvers are intended to strengthen regional security, reflecting Tehran’s position that the drills are defensive in nature.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime route for global energy shipments, and the timing of the IRGC’s exercises suggests heightened military activity in the area following increased U.S. presence.

Seventy-three fishermen who had been detained by the Arakan Army in Myanmar were repatriated to Bangladesh through the Teknaf border in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, February 16, 2026. Among them, 66 are Bangladeshi nationals and seven are residents of Rohingya camps. The handover took place at the zero line of the Naf River, followed by official reception at Teknaf Jetty Ghat. Local administration, union council representatives, and law enforcement agencies verified their identities before initiating the process of returning them to their families.

According to official sources, the fishermen had unintentionally crossed into Myanmar waters while fishing in the Bay of Bengal at various times in 2025, leading to their detention by the Arakan Army. They were held in different camps under the group’s control inside Myanmar. In response, security forces in the Cox’s Bazar region coordinated efforts on humanitarian grounds to secure their release through sustained communication and negotiation.

Lieutenant Colonel Md Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan of the Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB) described the return before Ramadan as a positive humanitarian development and confirmed that efforts continue to bring back the remaining detained fishermen.

Afghanistan has announced that it will assist Iran if the United States launches a military attack and Tehran requests help. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid made the statement on Sunday, February 15, emphasizing that Afghans would show solidarity with Iran. He added that Afghanistan does not support war and prefers peaceful solutions through dialogue.

The spokesperson noted that Iran has recently shown restraint, and Afghanistan hopes no conflict will erupt between Washington and Tehran. The statement comes as instability spreads across the Middle East, with the United States deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships in preparation for a possible strike on Iran. Another carrier is reportedly heading to the region.

Several Middle Eastern countries are attempting to prevent a potential war, fearing that a large-scale conflict would cause severe economic and humanitarian damage across the region.

The Israeli government has approved the resumption of land registration in the West Bank, a move that has triggered strong criticism from Arab nations and rights groups. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the initiative aims to clarify land ownership and resolve legal disputes transparently, citing illegal registrations under the Palestinian Authority as justification. The registration will take place only in Area C, which covers about 60 percent of the West Bank and remains under Israeli security and administrative control.

Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan denounced the decision as a violation of international law. Egypt described it as a dangerous step to consolidate Israeli control over occupied Palestinian territory, while Qatar warned it would undermine Palestinian rights by declaring land as “state property.” The Palestinian Authority called for international intervention, saying the move marks the beginning of annexation and weakens the foundation of a future Palestinian state. Israeli group Peace Now labeled the decision a “mega land grab.”

Israeli media reported that this is the first time since the 1967 war that land registration will resume in the West Bank, where over 500,000 Israelis and about 3 million Palestinians currently live.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inaugurated a new housing project in Pyongyang for the families of soldiers killed while fighting on Russia’s side in the Ukraine war. State media released photos on Monday showing Kim visiting the newly built apartments with his daughter. The initiative is presented as a tribute to the fallen soldiers, described as martyrs, and as a move to strengthen internal unity while reaffirming support for Russia.

According to South Korean and Western intelligence sources cited in the report, North Korea has sent thousands of troops to fight for Russia, with Seoul estimating around two thousand North Korean soldiers killed. Analysts suggest Pyongyang is receiving financial aid, military technology, and supplies of food and fuel from Moscow in return. The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim praised the fallen as heroes who sacrificed their lives for sacred national values.

Although Monday’s report did not directly mention Russia, it follows Kim’s recent pledge of unconditional support for all policies and decisions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.