Times of Israel

President Trump announced that a deal framework with Iran had been approved and that he had canceled a third night of strikes, but Tehran says no final decision has been made. The IDF continued heavy operations in southern Lebanon, striking over 300 Hezbollah targets and eliminating some 80 operatives in the past week, while Hezbollah claimed multiple attacks on Israeli forces. In the West Bank, settler violence reached record levels according to the UN, and the IDF is establishing a permanent base in Jenin. Ultra-Orthodox anti-draft protests escalated in Israel. Gaza ceasefire prospects dimmed ahead of Israeli elections.

President Trump announced that the US will strike Iran “very hard” tonight and stated an intention to seize Kharg Island in the future, even as US-Iran negotiations continue. The IDF expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, achieving operational control of Wadi Saluki and preparing an offensive toward Nabatieh. In the West Bank, two IDF soldiers were wounded by an IED in Jenin, where Israel is establishing its first permanent military post in Area A. The Israeli cabinet is set to approve funding for 61 new settlements.

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.

The IDF struck Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district after Hezbollah rocket fire on northern Israel, killing at least two and wounding 11. A terror shooting spree in central Israel left one dead and five wounded; the attacker, an Arab Israeli, was neutralized. Greece arrested a suspected Hamas operative planning an attack on an Israeli cruise ship. The US is considering using frozen Iranian assets to fund Gulf state reconstruction.

US forces struck Iranian coastal radar sites after shooting down four Iranian drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by firing seven ballistic missiles at US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, with CENTCOM intercepting six. In Lebanon, an Israeli airstrike killed several Lebanese Army troops, including an officer, while Hezbollah claimed 32 attacks on Israeli forces. In the West Bank, the IDF killed a seven-month-old Palestinian baby in Hebron, prompting an investigation.

Two IDF officers were wounded in a firefight with Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon, and another was injured by an explosive drone, as Prime Minister Netanyahu stated the IDF would not withdraw from southern Lebanon in the near future. The IDF also announced the killing of Hezbollah's chief engineer, Abed Harb, in a strike last week. Meanwhile, the IAEA reported it has been unable to inspect Iranian nuclear facilities, and Iran claimed its navy fired warning shots at US destroyers in the Oman Sea.

Israeli ground forces advanced to the outskirts of Nabatieh, one of southern Lebanon’s largest cities, marking the deepest IDF push since 2006. Hezbollah responded with rocket barrages targeting Safed, Nahariya, and Kiryat Shmona, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF warned of potential increased rocket fire as operations expand. In Gaza, Hamas warned of a ‘dangerous escalation’ after Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the seizure of 70% of the Strip, while Egypt raced to salvage the ceasefire. The US-Iran deal remained unresolved, with Defense Secretary Hegseth stating the US is ready to restart strikes if no agreement is reached.

President Trump convened a two-hour Situation Room meeting on a potential Iran deal but made no final decision, with the White House saying it is 'very close' but unresolved. Iran denied a deal is finalized and rejected terms including uranium transfer and Hormuz tolls. Hezbollah claimed over 20 attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, while the IDF confirmed troops crossed the Litani River and struck Hezbollah targets. The UN blacklisted Israel for conflict-related sexual violence for the first time.

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.

An IDF reservist was killed and a brigade commander wounded in separate Hezbollah attacks in southern Lebanon. The US Senate advanced a war powers resolution to limit President Trump’s authority to strike Iran, while Vice President Vance warned the US is 'locked and loaded' if talks fail. Israel is reportedly preparing for a possible renewal of the Iran war, and Trump said Tehran has days to make a deal. Chinese President Xi told Russia’s Putin that Middle East hostilities are 'inadvisable.'

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.

The IRGC threatened to strike US bases in the region if Iranian tankers are attacked, a day after US strikes on two tankers. In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 36 people in the past day, while Hezbollah launched multiple drone attacks on Israeli forces. Qatar is mediating between the US and Iran, and reports reveal Israel built a secret base in Iraq to support its Iran campaign.

Iran launched a second day of missile and drone attacks on the UAE on Tuesday, striking a Fujairah oil facility and wounding three, while the US and Israel are reportedly coordinating potential new strikes on Iranian energy sites and senior officials. The US-led Project Freedom escort operation transited two destroyers through the Strait of Hormuz under fire, and Defense Secretary Hegseth said the ceasefire is “not over” despite Iran’s attacks. Hezbollah escalated with drone and missile attacks on IDF positions in southern Lebanon, and the IDF eliminated a Nukhba commander who participated in the October 7 Nova festival massacre.

Iran launched 15 missiles and 4 drones at the UAE on Monday, hitting a Fujairah oil facility and wounding three, in the first major attack since the April 8 ceasefire. The US sank six Iranian small boats and intercepted missiles and drones as it began escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz under 'Project Freedom.' Hezbollah fired mortars and anti-tank missiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon overnight, with no IDF injuries reported. Oil prices surged nearly 6% and global markets slid as the US-Iran truce teetered.

President Trump announced ‘Project Freedom,’ a US-led initiative to guide stranded commercial vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday, while Iran warned the mission would violate the ceasefire. The US delivered its response to Iran’s 14-point peace proposal via Pakistan, with Trump calling the latest terms unacceptable. Hezbollah claimed a rocket and artillery attack on Israeli forces in Al-Bayyada, and Israel canceled the annual Meron Lag Ba’omer celebration due to security concerns.