Al-Monitor

On August 29, dozens of masked settlers attacked homes in Qusra, surrounding one residence and trapping seven Palestinians inside for over an hour. Witnesses reported that Israeli forces fired tear gas, detained and injured residents, while allowing settlers to depart. The Israeli military stated it intervened to disperse rioters and protect those inside.

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Tehran on August 27 to discuss a temporary joint shipping corridor and mine-clearing project in the Strait of Hormuz. The talks follow the breakdown of a June US-Iran memorandum of understanding and occur after a war between the US and Iran that began on February 28. Multiple outlets reported the discussions, which also addressed prior Qatari mediation in a June ceasefire.

AIPAC's United Democracy Project has spent $54 million on congressional races in the 2026 cycle, making it the largest single outside spender according to OpenSecrets data reported by Straits Times and Al-Monitor. The wider pro-Israel donor network has spent $71 million, ranking second behind cryptocurrency interests. Spending has focused on Democratic primaries to back candidates committed to Israel and oppose critics of unconditional U.S. military aid.

A senior U.S. Treasury official announced on August 27 that Secretary Scott Bessent will host G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on the following Monday and Tuesday. The Trump administration seeks agreement on measures to boost growth, reduce global imbalances, address sovereign debt, and restrict Iran's economic options. The United States had declined to participate in the prior South Africa-led G20 process.

Alia al-Hallaq's son Mohammed, age nine, was killed by an Israeli army bullet in Al-Rihiya in the occupied West Bank in October 2023. The shooting occurred during a patrol confrontation involving older youths hurling rocks. B'Tselem reports 235 children and teenagers killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

President Lee Jae Myung's administration announced a cabinet reshuffle on August 30, nominating Lee Hyoung-il as finance minister and deputy prime minister, Kang Shin-chul as defense minister, and Kim Seung-won as justice minister. Additional appointments include Hong Jee-sun for land, Yong Hye-in for gender equality, and Lee So-young for small and medium-sized enterprises. The moves precede the expected release of the 2027 budget the following week.

On August 28 the United States imposed additional targeted sanctions on Iran-linked financial actors, including plans to restrict Banque Misr’s UAE branches from US correspondent banking access. The measures coincide with the six-month mark of heightened US-Iran confrontation and include actions against a Hong Kong entity and an individual tied to Bank Melli. Iran has called on other countries to reject the new restrictions.

Africa News and Al-Monitor reported at least four deaths from Israeli strikes in Gaza on Thursday, including three men in Gaza City and one person in a southern tent shelter, plus three deaths from a West Bank drone strike near Jenin on Friday. Israel's military stated the operations targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants. Both outlets cited UN data on camp conditions and statements from Palestinian groups and medical services.

US and Israeli forces conducted strikes on Iran beginning February 28 that killed the country's supreme leader and maimed his son and successor, according to multiple outlets. A US-led naval blockade and financial measures followed, with the conflict now past six months and US gas prices nearly one dollar higher than the prior year. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced efforts to restrict Iran's oil exports and hard currency access.

Seven individuals face criminal damage charges for actions at Donald Trump's Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, including graffiti and turf damage linked to Palestine Action. Prosecutors have classified the offenses as aggravated by a terrorist connection following the group's proscription in the UK and designation in the US. The accused are scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Brent crude traded at $87.58 a barrel at 9:13 a.m. EDT on Friday, down 1.08 percent from the prior close, after the US military stated it had cleared Iranian-laid mines from transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Only five vessels transited the strait on Thursday according to Kpler data, while Qatar's prime minister visited Tehran the same day. President Trump gave an interview with Glenn Beck on Thursday.

Four men aged 18 to 20 pleaded guilty on Friday to an arson attack that destroyed four ambulances owned by the Hatzola charity on March 23. The attack occurred in north London and caused substantial damage, with sentencing scheduled for spring 2027. Two sources, Associated Press and Al-Monitor, reported the pleas and basic details of the incident.

Stocks mostly rose on Friday as investors focused on an upcoming keynote address by Kevin Warsh at the Jackson Hole economic symposium. Federal Reserve policymakers held rates steady at the prior meeting despite three dissents favoring a hike, while inflation eased slightly but remained above the 2 percent target following an energy price increase linked to the Iran conflict. Treasury yields stood at 4.676 percent for the 10-year note, 5.199 percent for the 30-year bond, and 4.229 percent for the 2-year note.