United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 2014
Ownership
Middle East Eye is a London-based online news outlet launched in April 2014, co-founded and edited by former Guardian journalist David Hearst. It is formally owned by M.E.E. Limited, a UK company whose majority shareholder/director is Jamal Bessasso. Its true backing is opaque and widely reported to be linked to Qatar, which MEE denies.
Funding
MEE does not disclose its funding sources. It is not subscription-funded in any major way and carries little advertising; multiple analysts and regional governments allege Qatari state-linked financing, an allegation the outlet rejects, leaving its finances unverified.
Affiliation & stance
MEE covers the Middle East from a stance sympathetic to Palestinian, Muslim-Brotherhood and Qatari-aligned perspectives, and rival Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain) demanded its closure during the 2017 Qatar crisis, calling it a Qatari mouthpiece. Given the credible, repeatedly reported allegations of covert Qatari government-aligned funding and its opaque ownership, it is better classed as DEPENDENT (government-aligned interest) rather than the site's current INDEPENDENT label; its lean is closer to CENTER_LEFT/anti-Gulf-establishment, with the caveat that the funding claims remain unproven.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1180
77/100
Factual
71/100
Objective
1203
Articles
1184
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Four-year-old Palestinian killed in Israeli attack in Gaza
A four-year-old Palestinian boy named Mohammad Abdel-Salam Taha was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a building in Zawayda, central Gaza. The attack occurred amid ongoing conflict in the region, with reports indicating that at least two people were killed in separate Israeli strikes on Nuseirat refugee camp and Zawayda. According to Reuters, citing Palestinian health officials, the child was injured by flying debris and shrapnel and later died in the hospital. Six other individuals were also reportedly hurt in the incident. A displaced Palestinian resident near the targeted area expressed frustration, stating that there is 'no ceasefire' and emphasizing the desire for peaceful solutions. Israel has confirmed killing over 1,280 Palestinians in Gaza since the supposed ceasefire began in October.
Iran discovers over 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, oil minister says
On August 23, 2026, Iran's oil minister, Mohsen Paknejad, announced through state media that the country has discovered more than 7.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in a field located south of Fars Province. The announcement was reported by Reuters, highlighting the potential significance of this find for Iran's energy sector. The discovery could enhance Iran's energy reserves and potentially impact regional dynamics. No specific details were provided regarding the implications for international relations or domestic economic policies.
Twenty-five patients evacuated from Gaza to Egypt
On August 23, 2026, twenty-five patients and thirty-two family members were evacuated from Gaza to Egypt, according to Al Jazeera, which cited local sources. The evacuation took place through the Rafah crossing and was coordinated with the World Health Organization. The event occurred amid ongoing conflict involving Iran. No specific details were provided regarding the medical conditions of the evacuees or the broader humanitarian situation.
Iranian hackers carry out unprecedented attack on UK’s power network
A UK power generator was forced to shut down for four days after being targeted by Iranian hackers, according to recent reports. This is believed to be the first known instance of Iranian-affiliated hackers successfully disrupting a UK energy facility. The affected site is described as a 'small-scale energy generator,' and authorities confirmed there was no risk to the broader national grid. The incident reportedly prompted the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to issue briefings to power companies and provide guidance to businesses on protecting against cyber threats. Earlier this year, NCSC head Dr. Richard Horne warned that most major cyberattacks on the UK come from state-sponsored actors like China, Iran, and Russia. In response, the UK government is developing a national AI-based cybersecurity system designed to detect and mitigate threats to critical infrastructure.
DR Congo and M23 rebels agree roadmap for peace talks
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, have reached a roadmap for peace talks following five days of discussions in Switzerland. The agreement includes commitments to pursue comprehensive peace and conflict resolution, along with mechanisms to monitor a ceasefire. The roadmap is based on a US-brokered peace framework signed in 2025, though fighting has persisted in eastern DRC. Disagreements remain regarding sanctions against M23, the release of detainees, and the timing of political reforms. International actors such as Qatar, the United States, Togo, the African Union, and Switzerland participated in the negotiations. A verification mission is scheduled to begin in Minembwe, South Kivu, to assess ceasefire compliance.
Child shot dead by Israeli forces during raid in Nablus
On August 23, 2026, a 14-year-old Palestinian boy was reported killed by Israeli forces during a raid on the Askar refugee camp, located east of Nablus. The incident was reported by Al Jazeera, citing a medical source who stated the child was shot in the chest. The event occurred amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestinian territories, with the broader context being part of the wider conflict involving Iran.
Israeli attack in central Gaza kills two, wounds seven
On August 23, 2026, an Israeli military operation targeting the Nuseirat refugee camp and the town of az-Zawayda in central Gaza resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians and injuries to seven others, according to Al Jazeera, which cited a source at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The incident occurred during ongoing conflict in the region, with reports linking the attack to broader tensions involving Israel and Iran. No specific details were provided regarding the cause of the attack or any immediate responses from Palestinian authorities. The event highlights the continued violence in Gaza, where civilian casualties remain a significant concern.
MPs call for UK to hold Israeli government to account for killing of journalists following Independent investigation
UK MPs have called on the government to take strong action against Israel following an investigation by The Independent and Independent Arabia into the killing of journalists and medical staff during a 'double-tap' attack on a hospital in Gaza. The investigation, based on 17 eyewitness accounts and expert testimonies, suggests potential war crimes, including intentional attacks on civilians and disproportionate force. The attack occurred on August 25, 2025, killing journalist Mariam Abu Dagga and at least 19 others. The Israeli military has denied wrongdoing, claiming the camera used by Reuters was positioned by Hamas and that six 'terrorists' were killed. However, the investigation found the camera was located in a stairwell frequently used by journalists and that the military failed to notify the hospital of the threat, violating international law obligations.
Israeli air strike in central Gaza kills one, wounds two
An Israeli air strike in central Gaza killed one Palestinian and injured two others, according to Wafa news agency, which cited medical sources. The attack occurred on Salah al-Din Street, a major road in the Gaza Strip. Wafa reported that the total number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks since October 2023 has reached 73,419, with 174,364 injured.
Macron to host Saudi crown prince for talks on Middle East, energy
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a two-day visit focused on topics ranging from esports to regional security. The visit includes discussions on Middle Eastern conflicts, energy cooperation, and economic partnerships. On the first day, Macron will attend the Esports World Cup closing ceremony, marking the first time the event is held outside Saudi Arabia. On the second day, both leaders will chair the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French strategic partnership council, emphasizing collaboration to promote stability in the region.
Two Palestinians wounded in Israeli raid near Nablus, settlers and troops storm towns in Ramallah and Jenin
Israeli forces conducted raids in multiple locations across the occupied West Bank, resulting in injuries to two Palestinians in Beit Furik and detentions of two men in Faqqu'a. The Wafa news agency reported that Israeli soldiers assaulted two individuals in Beit Furik, east of Nablus, leading to their hospitalization. In Deir Dibwan, east of Ramallah, an Israeli settler was involved in a raid. In Jenin, Israeli troops detained two Palestinian men from Faqqu'a, raided additional homes, and interrogated residents. These incidents highlight ongoing tensions and military activity in the region.
'Palestinian state already a reality', says Arab Israeli leader Mansour Abbas
Mansour Abbas, the leader of the United Arab List (UAL), a conservative Arab-Israeli party, stated that a Palestinian state is already a reality, acknowledged by much of the world except the United States and Israel. He urged Israel to recognize this state and emphasized his commitment to achieving peace, ending the occupation, and resolving the conflict. Abbas made these remarks during a speech at a UAL convention in Tayibe. His comments were met with strong opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who criticized the alliance with the Muslim Brotherhood, and from Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party, who denied the existence of a Palestinian state. The UAL previously became the first Arab-majority party to join an Israeli governing coalition in 2021.
Trump posts map showing Hormuz as 'new US territory'
On 23 August 2026, former US President Donald Trump posted a map on his Truth Social account designating the Strait of Hormuz as 'NEW U.S. Territory'. This follows a previous post earlier in the week and a statement at a public rally where Trump claimed Hormuz is currently American territory and warned against Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon. The posts come amid ongoing tensions related to Iran and regional security concerns.