Middle East tensions escalated sharply on Thursday as the UAE condemned Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Kuwait, pledging full solidarity with the Gulf state. The developments came amid renewed US-Iran hostilities following strikes near Bandar Abbas, retaliatory Iranian action against a reported US base, and intensified Israeli attacks in Lebanon as fighting with Hezbollah deepened across the region. Follow our live coverage for the latest updates.07:15 PM, 28 May 2026Egypt condemns attacks on Kuwait, affirms its full solidarity with it
Egypt strongly condemned the malicious attacks launched by Iran against the sisterly State of Kuwait, describing them as a flagrant violation of Kuwait's sovereignty and a serious breach of international law and the United Nations Charter.Egypt affirmed - in a statement issued Thursday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates - its full solidarity with and support for the sisterly State of Kuwait in confronting these blatant attacks that threaten its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens.Egypt stressed its firm and unwavering position that the security and stability of Kuwait and all sisterly Gulf states are an integral part of Egyptian and Arab national security.Egypt also expressed its support for all measures taken by the sisterly State of Kuwait to safeguard its security and sovereignty, and renewed its warning against the consequences of this dangerous escalation, which undermines diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation. 07:02 PM, 28 May 2026 Israel PM says orders army to take control of 70 per cent of Gaza Strip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he had ordered the country's military to take control of 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip, in defiance of the terms of a fragile ceasefire that took effect in October."We are currently squeezing Hamas. We now control 60 percent of the territory in the strip. You know, we were at 50, we moved to 60. My directive is to move to... 70 per cent," he said at a conference in an occupied West Bank settlement, according to a video aired by Israel's Channel 12 network. 06:58 PM, 28 May 2026US Treasury chief threatens to sanction Oman if it facilitates Hormuz tolls
