Arab News

US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran “very hard” again, saying Tehran had taken too long to negotiate a nuclear deal and would “pay the price.” The IDF confirmed that the Ramat David airbase sustained minor damage from falling fragments during Iran’s ballistic missile attack earlier this week, with no injuries or operational impact. Hezbollah continued to target Israeli forces in southern Lebanon with drones, missiles, and artillery, while Israeli airstrikes killed at least 17 people across the south, including two in a drone strike on a car in Sidon.

A Hezbollah explosive drone killed an IDF soldier and wounded two others in northern Israel, while President Trump announced that a US-Iran ceasefire deal is ‘largely negotiated’ and would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The proposed 60-day truce includes a halt to Israel-Hezbollah fighting and talks on Iran’s highly enriched uranium, but Israeli officials and senior US Republicans have sharply criticized the emerging terms. Anti-government protests drew around 2,000 people across Israel, and a gunman was shot dead after firing near the White House.

Iran’s Supreme Leader has ordered that the country’s near-weapons-grade enriched uranium stockpile must remain in Iran, directly countering a key US and Israeli demand for any peace deal. Meanwhile, US intelligence assesses that Iran is rebuilding its military capabilities—including drone production—faster than expected during the ceasefire. In southern Lebanon, Hezbollah continued attacks on Israeli forces with drones and missiles, while Israel deported all foreign activists from the intercepted Gaza flotilla amid international condemnation of a video showing National Security Minister Ben-Gvir taunting detainees.

President Trump postponed a planned military strike on Iran at the request of Gulf Arab leaders, citing 'serious negotiations.' Lebanon's death toll surpassed 3,000 amid continued Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah attacks. The IDF intercepted a Hezbollah drone over southern Lebanon. Hamas appointed Mohammed Odeh as its new Gaza leader.

Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged that Israel has expanded its hold on Gaza to 60%, beyond the ceasefire line, while the IDF struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and a drone attack sparked a fire at the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant. The security cabinet convened amid reports of US-Israeli preparations for renewed strikes on Iran, and the ICC denied reports it had issued new arrest warrants for Israeli officials.

The US and Israel are in advanced preparations for renewed strikes on Iran, potentially as early as next week, as the IDF targeted Hamas military chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad in a Gaza City airstrike that killed at least seven. A US-brokered Israel-Lebanon ceasefire was extended by 45 days, but Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon, killing six including three paramedics. An Iraqi Kata'ib Hezbollah commander was charged in the US for plotting attacks on Jewish targets in New York and Los Angeles.

Israel targeted Hamas military leader Izz al-Din al-Haddad in a Gaza City airstrike, while the US announced a 45-day extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire after Washington talks. Hezbollah launched drones and rockets at northern Israel and IDF troops in southern Lebanon. President Trump said he is open to a 20-year suspension of Iran's nuclear program, as Iran and the US rejected each other's proposals to end the war. An Iraqi militia commander linked to Iran was arrested in the US for plotting attacks on Jewish sites.

A Hezbollah explosive drone struck a parking lot near Rosh Hanikra in northern Israel, wounding three civilians, two seriously, in what the IDF called a “blatant violation” of ceasefire understandings. The attack came as Israeli and Lebanese delegations convened in Washington for a third round of direct talks, with Israel proposing a phased plan for Hezbollah disarmament. In the Strait of Hormuz, a commercial vessel was seized and diverted to Iran, while another cargo ship was sunk off Oman, drawing condemnation from India. The IDF expanded airstrikes across southern Lebanon and the Western Bekaa, and Prime Minister Netanyahu announced Israel would sue the New York Times over a column alleging widespread sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners.

US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest ceasefire response as “totally unacceptable,” while Hezbollah launched multiple loitering glider attacks on IDF vehicles in southern Lebanon. EU foreign ministers approved sanctions on violent Israeli settlers and settler groups, and Prime Minister Netanyahu convened an urgent security meeting amid the diplomatic impasse.