US envoy Steve Witkoff to visit Gaza Strip on Friday | LIVE

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Hamas-led factions said that Palestinian resistance will not cease until the "occupation" ends and an independent, fully sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital is established, in response to the so-called "New York Declaration" calling on the movement to lay down its arms, Reuters reported.

A statement released Tuesday by Saudi Arabia and France, with the support of Egypt, Qatar and the Arab League, called on Hamas to disarm and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, which they consider legitimate to govern all Palestinian territories.

Saudi Arabia and France are now seeking broader international support for the declaration, which sets out steps toward implementing a two-state solution.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to the Gaza Strip on Friday in an effort to "save lives and end this humanitarian crisis" in the Palestinian territory, the White House announced Thursday.

The envoy and the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, will "travel to Gaza to inspect current food distribution sites" and to put in place a "plan to deliver more food" to the inhabitants of Gaza, who are facing "widespread famine" according to the U.N.

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has reportedly been tasked with assessing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as Trump questions whether the war will continue, according to Haaretz.

U.S. President Donald Trump believes Israel has achieved its military objectives in the Gaza Strip and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war to stay in power, Haaretz reported, citing two administration officials, citing a report in the U.S. magazine The Atlantic.

The same sources said that Witkoff will assess the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the aid efforts led by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation during his visit to Israel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the increase in the number of European countries wishing to recognize the Palestinian state, Al Jazeera reported.

He said he spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced last week that France would recognize a Palestinian state. "We consider the recent humanitarian reactions coming from Europe, particularly from France and the United Kingdom, very valuable. We welcome every step towards recognizing the State of Palestine," said Erdogan, who vowed to exert more pressure on Israel in the coming days to avoid a worsening of the humanitarian catastrophe.

"No one can remain silent in the face of the atrocities being committed in Gaza, where children are dying of hunger and civilians searching for food are deliberately targeted," he added.

Hamas said it was willing to resolve the issue of hostages held in Gaza as part of a cease-fire agreement, Reuters reported. The Palestinian movement also stated that "Palestinian resistance will continue until the end of the occupation."

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced a strengthening of travel warnings for the United Arab Emirates amid reports that "terrorist organizations" were stepping up their activities to harm Israel, Reuters reported.

The Israeli army dropped flares over Wazzani (Marjayoun), reports L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region.

Strikes have resumed in the Bekaa, reports L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region. A fifth strike has just targeted the Shaara region.

The Israeli army claimed to have "struck infrastructure that was used for producing and storing strategic weapons in the Beqaa area and in southern Lebanon."

The army claimed that it targeted "explosive manufacturing sites, which were used to develop Hezbollah's weaponry, as well as an underground site for the production and storage of strategic weapons." It also accused the party of having "undertaken the restoration of these sites."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed that the Israeli military attacked Hezbollah's largest precision missile production site in Lebanon, Haaretz reported. "Any attempt by the organization to rebuild, re-establish itself, or threaten will be met with implacable force," he said.

According to the statement, this site had already been targeted in the past. "The Lebanese government bears the responsibility to prevent any violation of the ceasefire agreement. We will not allow Hezbollah to threaten the people of the north."

Update on the strikes on south Lebanon

The Israeli army carried out eight strikes targeting the hills of Mahmoudieh, Jormok and the surroundings of Aishieh (Jezzine), causing a huge explosion heard in the towns of Nabatieh, Marjayoun and Iqlim al-Tuffah.

Israeli strikes on the Bekaa

At 6 p.m., Israeli aircraft targeted the Brital Heights (Baalbeck) with two missiles. Less than a minute later, a second strike targeted the area around Nabi Sreij.

A fourth Israeli airstrike was then carried out on the Brital Heights, targeting the same site of the shrine of the Prophet Ismail, already hit by two missiles at 6 p.m.

The Palestinian Authority reported the death of a man in his 40s who suffocated in a fire, which it said started during an attack by Israeli settlers in a village in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli army announced the opening of an investigation after confirming that it had received reports of fires in the village of Silwad, located in the central West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967.

Britain and 13 allies, including the United States and France, condemned what they called a surge in plots by Iranian intelligence services to assassinate, kidnap and harass individuals in Europe and North America, according to Reuters.

"We stand united in our opposition to the Iranian intelligence services' attempts to kill, kidnap, and harass people in Europe and North America, in clear violation of our sovereignty," the countries said in a joint statement. They added that these actions were increasingly carried out in collaboration with international criminal networks.

Israeli aircraft are flying over the skies of Saida and Iqlim al-Kharroub, in the Shouf, reports L'Orient Today's correspondent.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon targeted Mahmoudieh, near the Lebanese Army checkpoint at the Khardali Bridge, the outskirts of Aishiteh and the village of Jormok, in the Sour region, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent.

Israeli aircraft are flying low over the skies of Sour, Nabatieh and Zahrani, L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region reports.

Israeli strikes on the Bekaa

The Israeli army carried out several strikes on the heights of Nabi Sheet, Brital, in the Baalbeck region and the northern Bekaa region, near Ansar, reports L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region.

Series of Israeli airstrikes targeting the outskirts of Aishieh

An Israeli jet carried out a series of strikes on the Mahmoudieh region, near the village of Aishieh (Jezzine), reported L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region.

At least five strikes targeted the area.

The Israeli army claimed that soldiers from the Kfir Brigade were operating in southern Khan Younis to consolidate their control over the Magen Oz corridor, which divides the city.

In recent weeks, the armed forces have arrested "terrorists" and located a "weapons storage facility" and a tunnel, which they dismantled with the help of military engineers, the army added.

Israel provides humanitarian aid to the Syrian Druze community, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry

Israel provided humanitarian aid to the Druze community in Sweida, the Foreign Ministry reported.

The aid "includes food, medical supplies, first aid kits and medicines, and is intended for areas directly affected by the violent attacks," the ministry said.

During a meeting in Moscow with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Syria’s Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani said on Thursday that his country wants Russia 'by our side.'

“This is a time full of challenges and threats. But it is also an opportunity to build a united and strong Syria. And, of course, we want Russia to be by our side on this path,” Shaibani said, according to a Russian translation of his remarks.

He announced that Russia and Syria would “review” previously signed agreements between Moscow and Damascus and form a new intergovernmental commission. “It is clear that many agreements and contracts were concluded in very different circumstances over the past years,” Lavrov added during a joint press conference following the talks.

“We need friends, we need partners,” the Syrian foreign minister emphasized, expressing optimism about an “excellent” future for relations between Moscow and Damascus.

Barrot denounces 'bloodbath' caused by GHF aid distributions

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has denounced the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), saying its method of aid distribution in Gaza has led to a “bloodbath” and should be halted.

“I call for the cessation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s activities — this militarized distribution of humanitarian aid that has caused a bloodbath in the queues for food in Gaza. It is scandalous, it is shameful, and it must stop,” Barrot told reporters following a meeting with his Cypriot counterpart in Nicosia.

The United States announces sanctions against the Palestinian Authority.

Portugal plans to recognize the State of Palestine in September

The Portuguese government will consult with the president and parliament regarding the recognition of the State of Palestine at the United Nations this September, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s office said in a statement carried by AFP.

“Portugal is considering the recognition of the State of Palestine, as part of a process that could be concluded during the high-level week of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, to be held in New York this coming September,” the statement said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently meeting with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to Haaretz, citing Netanyahu’s office.

Syrian Defense Minister Murhad Abou Qasra has also arrived in Moscow on an official visit, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.

He is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart, Andrei Belousov, shortly after a meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani and Sergey Lavrov.

More than 100 Palestinians, including 91 aid seekers, killed in Gaza in the past 24 hours

At least 101 Palestinians, including 81 aid seekers, have been killed and 625 others injured in Israeli attacks, strikes, and shootings in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health in the enclave.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, a total of 60,239 Palestinians have been killed and 146,894 others injured in the Israeli offensive. Of these totals, 1,320 have been killed and 8,818 injured during food aid distributions.

Witkoff arrives in Israel

The Times of Israel newspaper, citing Hebrew-language media outlets, says U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has landed in Israel for meetings on Gaza.

It said Israeli news site Ynet had reported that Witkoff is also expected to visit Gaza during his trip and will visit aid distribution sites run by the Israeli and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

On Wednesday, U.S. officials said that Witkoff would meet with Israeli officials “to discuss next steps in addressing the situation in Gaza”.

Damascus seeks a 'fair relationship' with Moscow, says Syrian foreign minister

Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani told his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, that the new government in Damascus wants to establish a “fair relationship” with Moscow — a long-time ally of ousted former president Bashar al-Assad, who is currently in exile in Russia.

“There are many opportunities for a united and strong Syria, and we hope Russia will stand with us on this path,” Shaibani said during a joint press conference in Moscow, according to Reuters.

He added that Syria and Russia had agreed to reassess previously signed agreements between the two countries.

Israeli army announces end of 98th division operations in Northern Gaza

In a post on X, the Israeli army announced the end of its 98th Division's operations in northern Gaza, particularly in the areas of Shuja'iyya and Zeitoun. The military said it had carried out “intense battles,” destroyed “over 1,500 terrorist infrastructures,” and killed “dozens of fighters.” The division is now “preparing for new missions.”

Washington sanctions Iranian commercial fleet tied to regime leadership

The U.S. government announced a major new round of sanctions on Iran, targeting more than 50 individuals and entities, as well as over 50 vessels allegedly linked to the commercial fleet controlled by the son of Ali Shamkhani, a close adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) described this as its most significant Iran-related sanctions package since 2018, aimed at a fleet of oil tankers and container ships run by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.

Separately, the U.S. State Department imposed sanctions on 20 entities and 10 vessels for their role in the trade and transport of Iranian oil and petrochemical products.

At least 11 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, including in displacement tents

Since midnight, Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 11 people, according to Al Jazeera.

Among the dead:

• A couple and their two children in their tent in Deir al-Balah
• Two people in another tent south of Gaza City
• Two Palestinians in tents in al-Mawassi, west of Khan Younis
• Three others killed in an airstrike on an apartment in al-Saftawi, Gaza City.

US senate rejects two bills to block arms sales to Israel

The U.S. Senate has voted down two resolutions that would have blocked arms sales to Israel, according to Reuters. The bills, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, were a response to the growing number of civilian casualties in Gaza.

• The first vote: 24 in favor, 73 against
• The second: 27 in favor, 70 against
• All supporting votes came from Democrats.
• Despite being rejected, the measures gained more support than similar ones in recent months, showing a shift in U.S. discourse. Still, bipartisan support for Israel remains strong, making such measures unlikely to pass.

South Lebanon: Israeli army carries out repeated night attacks on Aita al-Shaab

Overnight Wednesday to Thursday, the Israeli army carried out multiple attacks on Aita al-Shaab, in the Bint Jbeil district of South Lebanon, according to our correspondent.

• Around 10:00 p.m., a drone dropped two bombs near the village cemetery.
• After midnight, Israeli artillery strikes also hit the area.
• This morning, Israeli drones continue to fly over several areas in South Lebanon.

Canada plans to recognize the State of Palestine at the U.N. General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday.

He described the humanitarian suffering in Gaza as "intolerable" and said the move reflects Canada's long-standing support for a two-state solution.

"That possibility is eroding before our eyes," Carney warned.

Israel strongly condemned the announcement.

Washington imposes major sanctions on Iranian commercial fleet

The U.S. government announced a major round of sanctions against Iran, targeting over 50 individuals, entities, and ships linked to the commercial fleet reportedly run by the son of Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) called it the largest set of Iran-related sanctions since 2018.

• The targeted fleet includes oil tankers and cargo ships allegedly controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
• The State Department also sanctioned 20 entities and 10 vessels involved in the trade and transport of Iranian oil and petrochemicals.

Welcome to our live updates on developments in the Middle East:

• In Gaza, where Israeli forces continue to strike across the enclave and fire on aid seekers.
• In Lebanon, where Israel is carrying out strikes and targeted assassinations.
• As well as in Iran and Syria.

Catch up on what you missed today and what to look out for tomorrow by reading our 👉 Morning Brief.