World affairs briefing — October 24, 2026.

Israeli strikes kill three Palestinians in Gaza, sources say

Three Palestinians were killed and others injured in Israeli strikes in Gaza on Friday, according to medical and local sources cited by Anadolu. Two were killed in a strike on a motorcycle in Gaza City’s al-Nasr neighborhood; another died after a drone targeted a bicycle in al-Mawasi, while several people were reportedly wounded in a separate strike in al-Rimal.

Why it matters The reported deaths show that the October 2025 ceasefire has not ended lethal exposure to Israeli strikes for people in Gaza.

Netanyahu orders Hebron closure and preparation for West Bank lockdown

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an immediate closure of Hebron and told security forces to prepare for a broader lockdown across the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reported. The order followed a shooting that wounded five Israeli settlers and the killing of two Palestinians by Israeli forces near Halhul, according to the report.

Why it matters Hebron residents face an immediate movement restriction under the order; preparations for a West Bank-wide lockdown raise the possibility of restrictions extending well beyond the shooting’s location.

What to watch next Whether preparations become an implemented West Bank-wide lockdown remains unresolved; the source confirms an instruction to prepare, not region-wide enforcement.

Brent crude reaches highest price since June 2022 amid Iran strike fears

Brent crude rose 2.7% to $116.20 a barrel on Friday, its highest level since June 2022, as concerns about renewed US strikes on Iran and regional tensions raised supply worries, Anadolu reported. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate gained 3.04% to $102.50. Both benchmarks were on track for a third consecutive weekly increase.

What changed Brent surpassed the peak recorded at the start of the war, reaching $116.20 a barrel at 1350GMT.

Why it matters Oil buyers face a higher benchmark price as concern about possible military action affects markets; the report attributes the rise to supply fears, not a confirmed new supply interruption.

Greece-Cyprus power cable survey revives maritime dispute with Türkiye

The developer of the planned Great Sea Interconnector applied in mid-October to resume seabed surveys for an undersea electricity cable linking Greece and Cyprus, with a possible extension to Israel. Türkiye says the survey area overlaps with claims in its 2019 maritime agreement with Libya, while Greece says the work can proceed.

Why it matters For the cable developer and participating countries, the maritime dispute creates a practical obstacle: the route cannot be finalized without seabed mapping whose authority is contested.

What to watch next The unresolved question is whether the survey can proceed despite competing claims over who may conduct the seabed work.

IMF sees global growth slowing in 2026, with sharp regional differences

The IMF’s October 2026 outlook projects global growth of 3.1% in 2026, rising to 3.4% in 2027, according to Geopolitical Futures. The report says the global average masks uneven regional performance: much of the Gulf is expected to contract, while India, much of East Africa and parts of Southeast Asia are forecast to grow by 6% or more. It identifies disruption to shipping from the Middle East war as the main reason for the lower global growth figure.

Why it matters The global growth figure is a poor guide to conditions facing households and businesses in individual regions: the forecast pairs contraction across much of the Gulf with growth of at least 6% in several other economies.

Poll puts Netanyahu bloc behind opposition ahead of Israeli election

A Maariv poll published four days before Israel’s Oct. 27 election projected 48 seats for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc, down three from the previous week, and 54 for the Jewish opposition bloc, Anadolu reported. Neither bloc would have enough seats to form a government on those projections.

What changed Netanyahu’s bloc fell from a projected 51 seats in the previous week’s poll to 48 in the latest survey.

Why it matters The opposition’s polling lead does not translate into a governing majority. On these projections, neither camp has a direct route to forming a government on its own.

What to watch next The election is scheduled for Oct. 27; its results will determine whether the projected government-formation difficulty materializes.