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Israeli forces carried out raids in several areas of the West Bank, arresting 6 Palestinians. A Palestinian body documented 2,051 attacks during September, including 647 carried out by settlers that resulted in the deaths of 3 Palestinians, as well as damage to thousands of trees and attempts to establish 21 settlement outposts.

UN envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg warned of the risks that military escalation in Taiz governorate poses to residents, following reports of casualties, infrastructure damage and road closures. He called on the Houthis to halt their attack, stressing that he was continuing contacts with the parties to contain the fighting, ensure civilian movement and facilitate aid access.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with no crew members injured. The incident coincides with the disclosure of an Iranian bill requiring permits for some vessels and banning the passage of vessels from countries Tehran classifies as hostile.

A televised debate scheduled in Rio de Janeiro before the first round of Brazil’s presidential election was cancelled after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declined to take part and his rival Flávio Bolsonaro withdrew. The boycott prevented 158 million voters from watching the leading candidates face each other directly before Sunday’s vote.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was responding to Ukrainian attacks in the Black Sea and seeking to halt the maritime transport of equipment, ammunition and fuel. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had targeted a bridge in Kyiv, a cargo ship in the Black Sea and an industrial complex at the port of Izmail.

Russian strikes targeted Kyiv’s southern bridge, while Moscow said it had hit a cargo ship and industrial and power facilities. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia had launched 108 drones overnight, while Ukraine’s General Staff said it had targeted drone-control centres and Russian troop-concentration sites.

The first two F-16V fighter jets arrived at an air base in Taitung as part of an $8 billion US deal covering 66 aircraft. Taiwan aims to strengthen its military capabilities through the deal, while awaiting Washington’s approval of a separate $14 billion arms package.

Disputes have intensified inside Libya’s House of Representatives after 86 MPs said they were barred from entering its Benghazi headquarters to hold a reform session, while the House presidency denied that any official session had been scheduled. The dispute extends to the quorum, authority to call meetings, amendments to the rules of procedure and leadership elections, amid concerns about its impact on the electoral process and the unification of state institutions.

The African Union Commission expressed deep concern over rising tensions between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt, urging the three countries to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. The position came after Asmara severed diplomatic relations with Addis Ababa, while Ethiopia and Egypt exchanged decisions to expel diplomats within 48 hours.

The incident involving a Flydubai plane travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv has placed security at the centre of political competition ahead of Israel’s elections scheduled for 27 October, amid accusations traded between the government and opposition and renewed attention to hijackings and attacks targeting Israel-linked flights between 1968 and 1986.

The Global Alliance for Palestine, joined by organisations and coalitions in 60 countries, has called for demonstrations, sit-ins and cultural and educational events across six continents to demand the application of international law and restrictions on the arms trade with Israel, while pressuring parliamentarians to debate arms exports.

A tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, causing a fire, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency. The agency said the vessel’s crew was safe, as the incident came amid repeated attacks on ships and disrupted maritime traffic in the waterway since the conflict with Iran began.

Arab countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the Houthi group’s targeting of a power station supplying the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, describing the attack as a violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and the sanctity of Islamic holy sites. The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and Egypt affirmed their solidarity with the Kingdom and support for its measures to protect its security and stability.

British counter-terrorism police arrested a 25-year-old British-Iranian man in central London as part of an investigation into a security alert near RAF Fairford. The arrest came amid British and US allegations that a foreign party may have been involved, which Tehran rejected as it summoned the British ambassador.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was ready to resume negotiations on the war in Ukraine on terms acceptable to Russia, accusing Kyiv of complicating the process through attacks during Russia’s elections. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the first combat mission using a domestically developed Ukrainian tactical ballistic missile.

Iraq is entering a new security and political phase after the end of the international coalition’s mission and the full transfer of responsibility for security to the Iraqi authorities. The transition comes amid debate over completing national sovereignty, placing weapons and decisions on war and peace under state control, and the continued influence of US instruments and Iran’s role in domestic affairs.

Washington has expanded sanctions on Iran to include the automotive and rail sectors and a Russia-linked financial network, while President Donald Trump said renewed bombing after the midterm elections remained possible, as about 9,000 US personnel head to the Middle East aboard a naval group.

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmi stressed on Thursday that any infringement on Arab territory was unacceptable, and called on Iran to observe good-neighbourly relations. He said Arab deterrence should combine military, political and economic tools, arguing that the previous nuclear agreement had not taken the interests of the Gulf states into account.

The Yemeni government has called for urgent international action against weapons it says the Houthi group launches from Hudaydah near air routes over the southern Red Sea, warning of the danger to civilian aircraft and humanitarian flights and calling for enforcement of the arms embargo and coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organisation to assess the risks.

Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic relations after Addis Ababa expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Asmara. The escalation coincided with deadly clashes between Ethiopian forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front, which killed and wounded hundreds and raised fears of a renewed civil war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would immediately consider using all weapons available to it in the event of a direct attack on Kaliningrad or other Russian territory, stressing that the type of response would be determined by the circumstances. His remarks came after a Russian message to NATO and mutual warnings over security in the Baltic Sea region.

Yemen’s cabinet in Aden approved executive measures to mobilise resources and raise institutional, military, security, economic and humanitarian readiness, amid escalating fighting in Taiz and Lahj. The directives included securing goods, salaries and services and preparing for displacement-related consequences, while the cabinet welcomed the deposit of $60 million in Saudi support with the central bank.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said any direct attack on Kaliningrad or other Russian territory would immediately raise the question of using all weapons available to Moscow. His remarks followed a Russian diplomatic warning to NATO against attempting to isolate the region, which referred to the possible use of nuclear weapons.