Israeli army claims airstrikes targeted Hezbollah in Bekaa and south Lebanon
The Israeli army said it had hit the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon with airstrikes “targeting military sites and strategic weapons storage and production facilities” belonging to Hezbollah, “as well as a rocket launch site,” according to a message posted on X by the army's Arabic-speaking spokesperson, Avichay Adraee.
The cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, in effect since November 2024, mandated the establishment of a cease-fire monitoring committee whose responsibility it is to process complaints regarding any violations of the truce.
However, Israel and the U.S. signed a side-agreement in which the U.S. states its "understanding" that Israel can strike Lebanon whenever it perceives there to be a "threat."
Israel is continuing to bombard southern Lebanon and the Bekaa, our correspondents in both regions are reporting.
The most recent wave of strikes targeted Baalbeck district's Bodai and its outskirts for the second time tonight, hitting an area near the hills of Flawi, as well as the hills of Jenta, in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, east of Nabi Sheet.
In southern Lebanon, another strike hit the Arzi River, and Kfar Kila was targeted by Israeli troops' machine gun fire.
Two rescue workers were injured in southern Lebanon when their ambulance overturned on its way to the site of one of the airstrikes.
Further Israeli bombardment in districts of Saida and Sour
Another wave of Israeli attacks targeted the area of Bassatine on the banks of Saida district's Arzi River, as well as the outskirts of Burj Rahhal in Sour district.
According to our correspondent in the South, Israeli drones can be seen and heard flying over various areas of southern Lebanon.
Almost all of the attacks have targeted areas north of the Litani River, which is used as a demarcation line. The cease-fire's terms largely concern the area south of the Litani River.
Israeli bombardment of south Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains
Israeli fighter jets launched two air strikes against the Anti-Lebanon mountain range, near Baalbeck district's Bodai village, according to our correspondent in the region.
Shortly after the Israeli army bombed three different sites in southern Lebanon: Iqlim al-Tuffah; the area between Beslaya in Jezzine district and Kfar Melki, in Saida district; and the area between Ain Qana, Humine and Sarba in Sour district.
That concludes our live coverage for today, thanks for joining us. We'll be back tomorrow morning with more news updates and analysis. Goodnight!
Netanyahu delayed his departure to Washington over Haredi conscription bill
Netanyahu's departure this evening to Washington was delayed several hours due to an emerging crisis in his coalition following demands from ultra-Orthodox member of his government that the controversial bill regulating yeshiva students' conscription be amended.
Citing several Hebrew-language outlets, Times of Israel reports that the Haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, have threatened to start boycotting all bills in the Knesset plenum starting tomorrow if they are dissatisfied with the updated legislation.
The Israeli army announced earlier this afternoon that it would send out draft notices for 54,000 ultra-Orthodox Israeli starting next week, and would tighten its prosecution of deserters.
Netanyahu was meant to depart at 4 p.m. this afternoon, but stayed until around 7 p.m. Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Yuli Edelstein is expected to present the Haredim with the updated bill proposal later today.
Negotiators for Palestinian Islamic Jihad have arrived in Doha for the next round of Gaza cease-fire talks, according to a statement cited by Times of Israel. The delegation is headed by Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah.
Netanyahu says negotiators have 'clear instructions' to achieve cease-fire
As he departed for Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he was determined to ensure the return of hostages held in Gaza and to remove the threat of Hamas to Israel, Reuters reports.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, Netanyahu told reporters that Israeli negotiators heading to cease-fire talks in Qatar today have clear instructions to achieve an agreement under Israel's conditions.
"I believe the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance these results," he said.
Abu Shabab leader admits to collaborating with Israel
The head of a Palestinian gang accused of looting aid in the Gaza Strip confirmed it was coordinating with the Israeli military in an interview with public radio earlier today, AFP reports.
Yasser Abu Shabab said his group, which is known as the Popular Forces and is opposed to Hamas, was able to move freely in zones under Israeli military control and communicated their operations beforehand.
"We keep them informed, but we carry out the military actions on our own," he said in an interview with Makan, Israel's Arabic-language public radio broadcaster.
Abu Shabab also said his group had received "logistical and financial support from several parties," without mentioning Israel directly. "There are things we can't talk about publicly."
Israeli army and Shin Bet announce assassination of Hamas naval commander in deadly cafe attack
The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service released a joint statement saying that they had assassinated the commander of Hamas' naval force in northern Gaza.
Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh's death was reported by Arab media following the Israeli attack last week on a cafe at the port of Gaza City, in which around 40 people were killed, including a one-year-old girl and an aspiring female boxer.
In the announcement, Israel claimed that several other Hamas operatives had been killed alongside the commander.
UK reports incident of vessel under attack in Red Sea
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released a warning on X that a vessel in the Red Sea came under attack from several "small vessels" that "opened fired with small arms and self-propelled grenades," about an hour ago.
According to the statement, the vessel's "armed security team" returned fired and the situation, at the time of the statement's release, was still ongoing. No updates have been provided since.
The incident was reported 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army to send draft notices to 54,000 ultra-Orthodox Israelis this week
The Israeli army has announced it will begin the issuing of 54,000 draft notices this week to members of the ultra-Orthodox community whose exemption from military service as yeshiva students is no longer valid, following the expiration of the previous legal arrangement.
The summons will be distributed in several phases throughout July, with enlistment appointments scheduled across the 2025 draft year, the military said.
The army intends to shorten the period after which draftees who do not report for recruitment are declared draft evaders, and stated that enforcement actions will be tightened, but warned of a shortage of space in military prisons.
As part of the broader recruitment process, the Israeli army said it will focus on identifying candidates with high potential for combat and frontline support roles, citing increased operational needs.
First-responders and volunteers help evacuate a woman on a stretcher from a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Nuseirat camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on July 6, 2025. (Credit: Eyad Baba/AFP)
Exchange of fire between ship and multiple small vessels in Red Sea ongoing
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released an update on the attack in the Red Sea, saying that the exchange of fire between a vessel and multiple smaller boats is still ongoing.
A "company security officer" confirmed to the UKMTO that projectiles of an unknown definition struck the ship, causing a fire onboard.
"Authorities are investigating," the statement adds, without elaborating where said authorities are from.
The attack was first reported by the UKMTO around three hours ago, 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army and Shin Bet announce assassination of Hamas naval commander in deadly cafe attack
The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service released a joint statement saying that they had assassinated the commander of Hamas' naval force in northern Gaza.
Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh's death was reported by Arab media following the Israeli attack last week on a cafe at the port of Gaza City, in which around 40 people were killed, including a one-year-old girl and an aspiring female boxer.
In the announcement, Israel claimed that several other Hamas operatives had been killed alongside the commander.
UK reports incident of vessel under attack in Red Sea
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released a warning on X that a vessel in the Red Sea came under attack from several "small vessels" that "opened fired with small arms and self-propelled grenades," about an hour ago.
According to the statement, the vessel's "armed security team" returned fired and the situation, at the time of the statement's release, was still ongoing. No updates have been provided since.
The incident was reported 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army to send draft notices to 54,000 ultra-Orthodox Israelis this week
The Israeli army has announced it will begin the issuing of 54,000 draft notices this week to members of the ultra-Orthodox community whose exemption from military service as yeshiva students is no longer valid, following the expiration of the previous legal arrangement.
The summons will be distributed in several phases throughout July, with enlistment appointments scheduled across the 2025 draft year, the military said.
The army intends to shorten the period after which draftees who do not report for recruitment are declared draft evaders, and stated that enforcement actions will be tightened, but warned of a shortage of space in military prisons.
As part of the broader recruitment process, the Israeli army said it will focus on identifying candidates with high potential for combat and frontline support roles, citing increased operational needs.
First-responders and volunteers help evacuate a woman on a stretcher from a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Nuseirat camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on July 6, 2025. (Credit: Eyad Baba/AFP)
Exchange of fire between ship and multiple small vessels in Red Sea ongoing
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released an update on the attack in the Red Sea, saying that the exchange of fire between a vessel and multiple smaller boats is still ongoing.
A "company security officer" confirmed to the UKMTO that projectiles of an unknown definition struck the ship, causing a fire onboard.
"Authorities are investigating," the statement adds, without elaborating where said authorities are from.
The attack was first reported by the UKMTO around three hours ago, 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army and Shin Bet announce assassination of Hamas naval commander in deadly cafe attack
The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service released a joint statement saying that they had assassinated the commander of Hamas' naval force in northern Gaza.
Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh's death was reported by Arab media following the Israeli attack last week on a cafe at the port of Gaza City, in which around 40 people were killed, including a one-year-old girl and an aspiring female boxer.
In the announcement, Israel claimed that several other Hamas operatives had been killed alongside the commander.
UK reports incident of vessel under attack in Red Sea
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released a warning on X that a vessel in the Red Sea came under attack from several "small vessels" that "opened fired with small arms and self-propelled grenades," about an hour ago.
According to the statement, the vessel's "armed security team" returned fired and the situation, at the time of the statement's release, was still ongoing. No updates have been provided since.
The incident was reported 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army to send draft notices to 54,000 ultra-Orthodox Israelis this week
The Israeli army has announced it will begin the issuing of 54,000 draft notices this week to members of the ultra-Orthodox community whose exemption from military service as yeshiva students is no longer valid, following the expiration of the previous legal arrangement.
The summons will be distributed in several phases throughout July, with enlistment appointments scheduled across the 2025 draft year, the military said.
The army intends to shorten the period after which draftees who do not report for recruitment are declared draft evaders, and stated that enforcement actions will be tightened, but warned of a shortage of space in military prisons.
As part of the broader recruitment process, the Israeli army said it will focus on identifying candidates with high potential for combat and frontline support roles, citing increased operational needs.
First-responders and volunteers help evacuate a woman on a stretcher from a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Nuseirat camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on July 6, 2025. (Credit: Eyad Baba/AFP)
Exchange of fire between ship and multiple small vessels in Red Sea ongoing
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released an update on the attack in the Red Sea, saying that the exchange of fire between a vessel and multiple smaller boats is still ongoing.
A "company security officer" confirmed to the UKMTO that projectiles of an unknown definition struck the ship, causing a fire onboard.
"Authorities are investigating," the statement adds, without elaborating where said authorities are from.
The attack was first reported by the UKMTO around three hours ago, 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army and Shin Bet announce assassination of Hamas naval commander in deadly cafe attack
The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service released a joint statement saying that they had assassinated the commander of Hamas' naval force in northern Gaza.
Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh's death was reported by Arab media following the Israeli attack last week on a cafe at the port of Gaza City, in which around 40 people were killed, including a one-year-old girl and an aspiring female boxer.
In the announcement, Israel claimed that several other Hamas operatives had been killed alongside the commander.
UK reports incident of vessel under attack in Red Sea
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released a warning on X that a vessel in the Red Sea came under attack from several "small vessels" that "opened fired with small arms and self-propelled grenades," about an hour ago.
According to the statement, the vessel's "armed security team" returned fired and the situation, at the time of the statement's release, was still ongoing. No updates have been provided since.
The incident was reported 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army to send draft notices to 54,000 ultra-Orthodox Israelis this week
The Israeli army has announced it will begin the issuing of 54,000 draft notices this week to members of the ultra-Orthodox community whose exemption from military service as yeshiva students is no longer valid, following the expiration of the previous legal arrangement.
The summons will be distributed in several phases throughout July, with enlistment appointments scheduled across the 2025 draft year, the military said.
The army intends to shorten the period after which draftees who do not report for recruitment are declared draft evaders, and stated that enforcement actions will be tightened, but warned of a shortage of space in military prisons.
As part of the broader recruitment process, the Israeli army said it will focus on identifying candidates with high potential for combat and frontline support roles, citing increased operational needs.
First-responders and volunteers help evacuate a woman on a stretcher from a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Nuseirat camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on July 6, 2025. (Credit: Eyad Baba/AFP)
Exchange of fire between ship and multiple small vessels in Red Sea ongoing
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released an update on the attack in the Red Sea, saying that the exchange of fire between a vessel and multiple smaller boats is still ongoing.
A "company security officer" confirmed to the UKMTO that projectiles of an unknown definition struck the ship, causing a fire onboard.
"Authorities are investigating," the statement adds, without elaborating where said authorities are from.
The attack was first reported by the UKMTO around three hours ago, 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army and Shin Bet announce assassination of Hamas naval commander in deadly cafe attack
The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service released a joint statement saying that they had assassinated the commander of Hamas' naval force in northern Gaza.
Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh's death was reported by Arab media following the Israeli attack last week on a cafe at the port of Gaza City, in which around 40 people were killed, including a one-year-old girl and an aspiring female boxer.
In the announcement, Israel claimed that several other Hamas operatives had been killed alongside the commander.
UK reports incident of vessel under attack in Red Sea
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released a warning on X that a vessel in the Red Sea came under attack from several "small vessels" that "opened fired with small arms and self-propelled grenades," about an hour ago.
According to the statement, the vessel's "armed security team" returned fired and the situation, at the time of the statement's release, was still ongoing. No updates have been provided since.
The incident was reported 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army to send draft notices to 54,000 ultra-Orthodox Israelis this week
The Israeli army has announced it will begin the issuing of 54,000 draft notices this week to members of the ultra-Orthodox community whose exemption from military service as yeshiva students is no longer valid, following the expiration of the previous legal arrangement.
The summons will be distributed in several phases throughout July, with enlistment appointments scheduled across the 2025 draft year, the military said.
The army intends to shorten the period after which draftees who do not report for recruitment are declared draft evaders, and stated that enforcement actions will be tightened, but warned of a shortage of space in military prisons.
As part of the broader recruitment process, the Israeli army said it will focus on identifying candidates with high potential for combat and frontline support roles, citing increased operational needs.
First-responders and volunteers help evacuate a woman on a stretcher from a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Nuseirat camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on July 6, 2025. (Credit: Eyad Baba/AFP)
Exchange of fire between ship and multiple small vessels in Red Sea ongoing
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released an update on the attack in the Red Sea, saying that the exchange of fire between a vessel and multiple smaller boats is still ongoing.
A "company security officer" confirmed to the UKMTO that projectiles of an unknown definition struck the ship, causing a fire onboard.
"Authorities are investigating," the statement adds, without elaborating where said authorities are from.
The attack was first reported by the UKMTO around three hours ago, 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army and Shin Bet announce assassination of Hamas naval commander in deadly cafe attack
The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service released a joint statement saying that they had assassinated the commander of Hamas' naval force in northern Gaza.
Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh's death was reported by Arab media following the Israeli attack last week on a cafe at the port of Gaza City, in which around 40 people were killed, including a one-year-old girl and an aspiring female boxer.
In the announcement, Israel claimed that several other Hamas operatives had been killed alongside the commander.
UK reports incident of vessel under attack in Red Sea
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released a warning on X that a vessel in the Red Sea came under attack from several "small vessels" that "opened fired with small arms and self-propelled grenades," about an hour ago.
According to the statement, the vessel's "armed security team" returned fired and the situation, at the time of the statement's release, was still ongoing. No updates have been provided since.
The incident was reported 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army to send draft notices to 54,000 ultra-Orthodox Israelis this week
The Israeli army has announced it will begin the issuing of 54,000 draft notices this week to members of the ultra-Orthodox community whose exemption from military service as yeshiva students is no longer valid, following the expiration of the previous legal arrangement.
The summons will be distributed in several phases throughout July, with enlistment appointments scheduled across the 2025 draft year, the military said.
The army intends to shorten the period after which draftees who do not report for recruitment are declared draft evaders, and stated that enforcement actions will be tightened, but warned of a shortage of space in military prisons.
As part of the broader recruitment process, the Israeli army said it will focus on identifying candidates with high potential for combat and frontline support roles, citing increased operational needs.
Israeli army and Shin Bet announce assassination of Hamas naval commander in deadly cafe attack
The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service released a joint statement saying that they had assassinated the commander of Hamas' naval force in northern Gaza.
Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh's death was reported by Arab media following the Israeli attack last week on a cafe at the port of Gaza City, in which around 40 people were killed, including a one-year-old girl and an aspiring female boxer.
In the announcement, Israel claimed that several other Hamas operatives had been killed alongside the commander.
UK reports incident of vessel under attack in Red Sea
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released a warning on X that a vessel in the Red Sea came under attack from several "small vessels" that "opened fired with small arms and self-propelled grenades," about an hour ago.
According to the statement, the vessel's "armed security team" returned fired and the situation, at the time of the statement's release, was still ongoing. No updates have been provided since.
The incident was reported 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army to send draft notices to 54,000 ultra-Orthodox Israelis this week
The Israeli army has announced it will begin the issuing of 54,000 draft notices this week to members of the ultra-Orthodox community whose exemption from military service as yeshiva students is no longer valid, following the expiration of the previous legal arrangement.
The summons will be distributed in several phases throughout July, with enlistment appointments scheduled across the 2025 draft year, the military said.
The army intends to shorten the period after which draftees who do not report for recruitment are declared draft evaders, and stated that enforcement actions will be tightened, but warned of a shortage of space in military prisons.
As part of the broader recruitment process, the Israeli army said it will focus on identifying candidates with high potential for combat and frontline support roles, citing increased operational needs.
Israeli army and Shin Bet announce assassination of Hamas naval commander in deadly cafe attack
The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service released a joint statement saying that they had assassinated the commander of Hamas' naval force in northern Gaza.
Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh's death was reported by Arab media following the Israeli attack last week on a cafe at the port of Gaza City, in which around 40 people were killed, including a one-year-old girl and an aspiring female boxer.
In the announcement, Israel claimed that several other Hamas operatives had been killed alongside the commander.
UK reports incident of vessel under attack in Red Sea
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released a warning on X that a vessel in the Red Sea came under attack from several "small vessels" that "opened fired with small arms and self-propelled grenades," about an hour ago.
According to the statement, the vessel's "armed security team" returned fired and the situation, at the time of the statement's release, was still ongoing. No updates have been provided since.
The incident was reported 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.
While Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea, in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, incidents of direct engagement with vessels is much more rare.
Israeli army and Shin Bet announce assassination of Hamas naval commander in deadly cafe attack
The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service released a joint statement saying that they had assassinated the commander of Hamas' naval force in northern Gaza.
Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh's death was reported by Arab media following the Israeli attack last week on a cafe at the port of Gaza City, in which around 40 people were killed, including a one-year-old girl and an aspiring female boxer.
In the announcement, Israel claimed that several other Hamas operatives had been killed alongside the commander.
Hamas, Islamic Jihad, announce intention to assassinate Abu Shabab fighters
A coalition of Palestinian factions in Gaza, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have announced their intention to assassinate members of Abu Shabab, a militia armed and backed by Israel in the Strip.
"These agents act on the orders of the occupation, and they are ostracized by our people and the resistance factions," the coalitions said in a statement cited by Haaretz. "Their fate is in the dustbin of history and a stain of shame before God and the homeland."
The statement praised the Palestinian tribes and families "who renounce the betrayal of this rebellious group," emphasizing that "our people are aware and distinguish well between agents and those loyal to the homeland and our just struggle.
Last Wednesday, Hamas' Revolutionary Court of the Military Judiciary Authority in Gaza gave the gang's 35-year-old leader, Yasser Abu Shabab, 10 days to turn himself in for trial.
Qassem asserts Israel must fulfill cease-fire terms before Hezbollah discusses 'national defense strategy'
In a televised address given this morning, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem asserted that any move on Hezbollah's part toward disarmament must be preceded by Israel abiding by the November cease-fire agreement, "withdrawing from the occupied territories, stopping its aggression [and] releasing the prisoners" detained during last year's war. Reconstruction in Lebanon is also a prerequisite, Qassem stated.
Only then, he said, "will we be ready for the second stage, which is to discuss national security and defense strategy."
The televised address was given on the event of Ashura, an important commemoration in Islam that, for Shiites, marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein in the battle of Karbala. But the address was also keenly awaited by those seeking insight into how Hezbollah is going to respond to a U.S. plan presented to Lebanese authorities last month outlining the party's disarmament.
Hamas informed of new round of negotiations and Gaza killings since dawn mount
International mediators told Hamas that the next round of negotiations toward a cease-fire in Gaza would resume starting today, a Palestinian official told AFP.
"Mediators informed Hamas that a new round of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel will begin in Doha today, Sunday," said the Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations and close to Hamas.
According to the Associated Press, Israel has killed at least 33 people across Gaza already today, citing hospital officials. Israel announced it had bombed the Strip 130 times in the last 24 hours.
Reverend Sue Parfitt. (Credit: @jdpoc/X)
UK arrests 83-year-old priest for supporting Palestine Action
An 83-year-old retired priest was arrested last night for defying a newly enforced ban on pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action, just hours after the group was formally outlawed by the U.K. government, Middle East Eye reports.
Reverend Sue Parfitt, from Bristol, was detained for holding a placard that read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” She was among more than 27 people arrested yesterday for acts of defiance against the proscription.
A government order to label Palestine Action a terrorist group took legal effect at midnight last night. Supporting or joining the group now carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
Khamenei makes first appearance since cease-fire
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took part in a public religious ceremony in Tehran yesterday, making his first public appearance since Israel launched a war against his country on June 13, state media reported.
The octogenarian leader was shown in a video broadcast by state television greeting people and being cheered at a mosque as worshippers marked Ashura, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, an important date for Shia Muslims.
Khamenei, 86, can be seen on stage dressed in black as the crowd before him, fists in the air, chants "The blood in our veins for our leader!"
Tucker Carlson interviewed Iranian president, to be released in coming days
U.S. conservative talk show host Tucker Carlson announced yesterday that he had conducted an interview with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which would air in the next day or two, Reuters reports.
Carlson said the interview was conducted remotely through a translator, and would be published as soon as it was edited, which "should be in a day or two."
Carlson said he had stuck to simple questions in the interview, such as, "What is your goal? Do you seek war with the United States? Do you seek war with Israel?"
"There are all kinds of questions that I didn't ask the president of Iran, particularly questions to which I knew I could get an not get an honest answer, such as, 'was your nuclear program totally disabled by the bombing campaign by the U.S. government a week and a half ago?'" he said.
Houthis attack Ben Gurion airport, Israel says missile intercepted
The Israeli army says it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen toward Israel earlier today, with sirens activated in several parts of the country, Reuters reports.
Israel has threatened Yemen's Houthi movement with a naval and air blockade if the Iran-aligned group persists with its attacks, which it says are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Since November 2023, a month after Israel's military assault on Gaza began, the Houthis have been firing at Israel and at commercial ships linked with the U.S., U.K., and Israel in the Red Sea, significantly disrupting global trade. The U.S. agreed to a cease-fire with the Houthis in May.
A Houthi spokesperson said in a statement this morning that the group had fired a ballistic missile at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport.
Israel sends delegation to Qatar to continue negotiations
Israel is sending a team of negotiators to Qatar today for talks on a possible Gaza hostage and cease-fire deal.
The prime minister's office statement last night added that despite finding Hamas' amendments to the U.S.-Israel proposal "unacceptable," the Israeli delegation will still fly to Qatar for talks over a possible deal to "continue the efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to."
Good morning and welcome to today's live coverage of events in the region, notably the push toward a cease-fire in Gaza, where Israel has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians and claims to have taken control of 65 percent of the Strip. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, hose distribution centers have become the site of dozens of deaths daily, continues to be the only source of food in Gaza.
Netanyahu says Hamas' response to cease-fire proposal includes 'unacceptable' changes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the changes requested by Hamas to a cease-fire proposal were unacceptable in a statement released last night.
Hamas said on Friday it had responded to a U.S.-backed Gaza cease-fire proposal in a "positive spirit," a few days after U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel had agreed "to the necessary conditions to finalize" a 60-day truce and passed along the draft to the group.
But in a sign of the potential challenges still facing the two sides, a Palestinian official from a militant group allied with Hamas said concerns remained over humanitarian aid, passage through the Rafah crossing in southern Israel to Egypt and clarity over a timetable for Israeli troop withdrawals.
"The changes that Hamas seeks to make to the Qatari proposal were conveyed to us last night and are not acceptable to Israel," Netanyahu's office said.
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